Weekend
January 28-29, 2012

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Suspended lawyer re-arrested on charges of repeatedly targeting clients in settlement swindle

NEW CITY – A New City lawyer has been re-arrested on charges that he allegedly stole an additional $328,000 from unsuspecting clients.

Joel Grossbarth, 50, was charged with two felony counts of grand larceny in the second degree.

In November 2008, he was accused of stealing $118,000 in settlement money from two clients he represented. According to the charges, the victims were led to believe their case was still pending in 2011.

In February 2010, Grossbarth is alleged to have duped another client by depositing $210,000 in settlement money into his personal account. That client was also led to believe her case was still pending even though it had been settled by the attorney.

Grossbarth was originally charged on December 27, 2011 with one count of grand larceny in the second degree for allegedly stealing $70,000 from a couple who retained him in a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Zugibe said it is believed he stole nearly $1 million from a number of clients he represented in a number of different proceedings.

Zugibe urged other clients or former clients who suspect they have been targeted to call his office at 845-638-5001.

Grossbarth was arraigned Friday and released without posting additional bail. The $25,000 bond posted in December covers all three counts of second-degree grand larceny.

If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in state prison.

 


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