A Manhasset attorney pleaded guilty last Thursday to stealing close to $230,000 from a client and using the funds for personal expenses, including insurance, credit card and country club payments, according to the Nassau County district attorney.
Alfred DiGirolomo Jr., 63, collected $229,990 from a client whom he represented in three lawsuits, telling the client that it would go toward settlements, DA Madeline Singas said. DiGirolomo kept all of the money.
He also led the client to believe that the three lawsuits were resolved when they were not, according to the DA’s office.
DiGirolomo will be sentenced June 4.
In light of the guilty plea, DiGirolomo will be disbarred. He has paid $99,479 in restitution. If he pays the rest, he will likely be sentenced to 30 days to six months in jail, according to Singas’ office. Should he not pay it, he could be sentenced to up to three years in prison.
To make his client, who is a restaurateur, believe the three lawsuits were resolved, the lawyer forged documents, according to officials. It was after hiring a new attorney that the victim learned that the settlements had not been filed in court.
“This defendant used his client’s money to fund a luxurious lifestyle that included cars, country club membership and a cigar club,” Singas said. “Dirty attorneys have no place in Nassau County, and my office is committed to prosecuting any lawyer who victimizes those they represent.”
DiGirolomo’s lawyer, James Froccaro, declined to comment on the case.
