Posted on 01/04/2008 7:52:34 AM PST by SmithL
A prominent Memphis lawyer has been hit with a second lawsuit by a former client accusing him of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars after gaining power of attorney.
J. Richard Rossie is accused in a Chancery Court suit of writing unauthorized checks to himself from the account of client Phoebe Copeland, who had granted him power of attorney in 2001 to handle her estate, personal finances and other legal matters.
According to the suit, Rossie drew at least 42 such checks between August 2000 and June 2007 totaling $346,667.43.
The checks, which ranged from $1,000 to $40,000, were misappropriated to the escrow account of his law firm -- Rossie, Luckett & Ridder -- and then converted to his personal accounts at various banks, the suit alleged.
Rossie's attorney, James Wilson, could not be reached Thursday.
The suit asks for damages and an order preventing a settlement of a similar suit filed in October by former client Darrelle B. Miller, who said Rossie stole more than $1 million from her after she gave him power of attorney over her finances.
According to a financial statement, Rossie has a net worth of $3.85 million, but Copeland's attorneys, Robert Craddock Jr. and Kacey Faughnan, said most of that is immune from judgment.
They said a settlement of the Miller case would make Rossie insolvent and unable to repay their client.
Chancellor Arnold Goldin has issued a restraining order temporarily preventing the distribution of any funds by Rossie.
Miller's attorneys said in their suit that Rossie has business interests in Europe and a residence in Mexico and asked for a restraining order to prevent him from hiding funds in foreign accounts.
Rossie, 60, who has practiced law since 1972, is a former partner of John Houser Parker, also 60, who pleaded guilty last year to stealing nearly $2 million from clients and was sentenced to 22 years in prison.
Rossie testified against Parker in a sentencing hearing in Criminal Court and said Parker had taken at least $111,000 from clients and the firm's escrow account.
State prosecutor Steve Crossnoe said he could not comment on whether criminal charges are being considered against Rossie.
It’s Memphis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Which is what happens when lawyers get to make the laws.
A lawyer elected to a legislature has an automactic conflict of interest.
I have always thought so. Our Congress is a shining example.
You’ve got to be seven kinds of stupid to think you’d get away with something like this.
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