In Atlanta, Michael Shaw, an associate at the law firm of Greenberg Trauig, pleaded guilty to fraud after it was discovered that he stole over a half of a million dollars from his own law firm. Apparently after undertaking the work for the firm, he would then send his own work to the firm stating that an outside vendor did the work. The work included investigator services and real estate title work.
The firm paid the (fake) bill to outside vendor, which was a scam – Mr. Shaw had stolen one of the firm’s client’s social security numbers to set up the fake vendor! When the firm paid the bills, he would forge the name on the check and deposit the monies into his own account. When asked if Mr. Shaw could file bankruptcy to discharge the debt, our opinion is that fraudulently obtained debts are not dischargable in bankruptcy.
Mr. Shaw was disbarred by the Georgia Bar and, in pleading guilty in criminal court, faces up to 30 years in jail for his crimes.