Lawyer of the Day: Joseph Levine
Since L.A. Judge Charles Lee was our Lawyer of 1984, we're giving a different attorney Lawyer of the Day honors. Joseph Levine of New York is helping to give a bad name to both lawyers and gamblers.
He's pleaded guilty to second-degree grand larceny, after stealing more than $400,000 from his clients, including money that was to be used for heart surgery for his client's daughter. That's cold.
From Newsday:
"I think this case underscores the pitfalls of compulsive gambling," said Levine's attorney, Michael Soshnick of Mineola.A spokesman for District Attorney Kathleen Rice said Levine advised one of his clients to accept a $300,000 settlement in a personal injury lawsuit. He then asked her insurance carrier for the money immediately, saying she needed it to pay for her daughter's heart surgery.
After getting the check, Levine returned to New York, forged the signature of his client and her husband and deposited the check in his own bank account, police said.
By the time the client notified the DA's office, Levine's bank account stood at -$139.44. Having an account with a negative balance after stealing almost half a million dollars? That's just embarrassing.
Disbarred attorney pleads guilty to grand larceny [Newsday]
DA: Lawyer Pocketed $300k from Clients [Nassau County District Attorney's Office]
(8) Comments
He needs to be introduced to Jocelyn Kirsch.
They could have a lot of fun together.
Mama always said, baby boy you gone make it, they wouldn't gi'it to me, so I had to take it
300k is not "almost half a million dollars."
Kash, isn't it your job at the IHT to select pictures to go with the columns? This one is just weak. A better one would be Woody Harrelson's face from Indecent Proposal when he loses their life savings...
I used to go skiing with this guy in Tahoe. Well, I skied, he gambled all day.
It's one thing to be addicted to gambling. It's quite another to be addicted to gambling and suck at it.
Hey Dustin! (I think you're the one in law school) Hope all's well besides obviously this.
nah its actually Craig.. who is this? Everything is actually great. Dustin is doing good as well.. My dad did what he did, we have and had no control over it. Just bothers me that the whole story isnt out and such.. Im in law school as well.. I dont have time to let this bother me.