Florida Lawyer Cops Plea To Ripping Off At Least $2.4M In Client Cash From Trust Account

From the Office of the U.S. Attorney (Fort Myers, Florida):

• United States Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announces that Joseph A. Troiano, (63, Fort Myers) pleaded guilty last week to six counts of wire fraud and one count of mail fraud. Troiano faces a maximum penalty of twenty years in federal prison for each count of wire and mail fraud.



• According to the plea agreement, Joseph A. Troiano was a licensed lawyer in Florida. From in or about late 2005, through in or about January of 2010, Troiano, without his client's authority, or consent, used funds belonging to his clients and their beneficiaries for his own purposes, including investing money in various real estate projects. In all, Troiano misappropriated at least $2.4 million for his own use.(1)

For the U.S. Attorney press release, see Fort Myers Attorney Pleads Guilty To Fraud.

(1) The Florida Bar's Clients' Security Fund was established to reimburse clients who have suffered a loss due to misappropriation or embezzle­ment by a Florida-licensed attorney.

For similar "attorney ripoff reimbursement funds" that sometimes help cover the financial mess created by the dishonest conduct of lawyers licensed in other states and Canada, see:

• Directory Of Lawyers' Funds For Client Protection (now includes Canadian recovery funds, courtesy of the American Bar Association);
• Check the USA Client Protection Funds Map;
• Check the Canada Client Protection Funds Map.

Maps available courtesy of The National Client Protection Organization, Inc.