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Boston lawyer accused of defrauding clients of more than $2 million, says US Attorney
Prosecutors say Patrick J. Dolan, 60, spent the stolen funds on real estate, tuition, and student loan payments.
A Boston lawyer is facing charges after allegedly stealing more than $2 million from two of his clients, U.S. Attorney Leah Foley’s office announced.
Patrick J. Dolan, 60, of North Attleboro and Haverhill, has been charged with four counts of wire fraud and has agreed to plead guilty, according to the Boston Globe. A charging document known as an information and a written plea agreement were filed in U.S. District Court in Boston on Thursday. Dolan’s appearance in federal court for his expected guilty plea will happen at a later date, according to the report.
Prosecutors say that between November 2018 and November 2024, Dolan schemed to defraud his clients and others who entrusted him to manage funds in accounts he controlled for their benefit. He’s accused of stealing over $2 million that was supposed to be held during a family trust dispute, a case where he was serving as the attorney for one of the parties involved.
Investigators say Dolan spent the stolen funds on himself and family members and made transfers to accounts held in the names of family members or shell companies. The money then went toward mortgage payments, tuition, student loan payments, and personal items and services, Foley’s office said.
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Prosecutors say Dolan also took at least $87,500 from a special needs trust he created for another client and used the money as a down payment on a home in Haverhill, where he and his family later lived.
Authorities also allege that Dolan lied to clients about the missing funds and falsified bank and accounting records to cover it up.
If convicted, Dolan faces up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine for each count of wire fraud.
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