Latest news with #ErieCountyCourt
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
Long time Falls lawyer gets jail term for stealing from clients
LOCKPORT — A once prominent Falls attorney left the Niagara County courthouse in Lockport in handcuffs on Wednesday. New York State Court officers put the cuffs on Robert Koryl after Erie County Court Judge Suzanne Maxwell Barnes, sitting in as an acting Niagara County Court judge, sentenced him to a 6-month jail term, followed by 5 years of probation, for his conviction on charges accusing him of stealing cash from his clients. He could have faced a possible prison term of up to seven years. Koryl is also required to repay $169,063 in restitution to his affected clients and he will be stripped of his license to practice law. He had been serving a term of interim probation, in an effort to give him time to pay back the clients he stole from. But prosecutors said he has so far paid back little, if any, of the stolen money. Koryl, 69, of Youngstown, pleaded guilty in August to two counts of third-degree grand larceny and two counts of fourth-degree grand larceny in connection to the alleged theft of client funds as part of a plea deal with Niagara County prosecutors. He admitted to stealing cash from his clients that was supposed to be held in his attorney trust fund. A Niagara County grand jury originally returned a six-count indictment that charged Koryl with one count of first-degree scheme to defraud, two counts of second-degree grand larceny, two counts of third-degree grand larceny and one count of fourth-degree grand larceny. He pleaded not guilty to those charges. Koryl had been free on his own recognizance prior to his sentencing. Niagara County District Attorney Brian Seaman said the case represented a violation of the public's trust. 'When people go to a lawyer's office to deal with complicated financial matters, they put themselves in the trust of that person,' Seaman said. 'An embezzlement by a lawyer is not just a theft, it is also a violation of a fiduciary duty that does harm to the (legal) profession as a whole.' Koryl practiced out of a Pine Avenue law office and his Martindale-Hubell and profiles show that his work was largely involved with personal injury cases. He was arrested in late June 2023 and originally charged in Falls City Court with one count of second-degree grand larceny and one count of third-degree grand larceny. Prosecutors charged that Koryl 'stole money belonging to his clients that he was supposed to be holding in his attorney trust account between 2016 and 2023.' Investigators from the district attorney's office said they began looking into Koryl after receiving a complaint about his handling of clients' funds. Seaman has confirmed that Koryl was accused of defrauding five individual clients.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Yahoo
Former Erie County DSS employee admits to stealing HEAP benefits
BUFFALO — A former Erie County Department of Social Services employee was recently caught using her position to fraudulently divert public assistance funds for personal gain, according to State Welfare Inspector General Lucy Lang. Denise Nelson, 56, of Buffalo, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Erie County Court before the Honorable Sheila A. DiTullio to one count of third-degree attempted grand larceny, a class E felony under New York State Penal Law. Under the terms of her plea agreement, Nelson has made full restitution of $4,917 to the Erie County Department of Social Services, National Grid, and National Fuel Gas. Following a referral from the Erie County Department of Social Services, an investigation by the Inspector General's Office revealed that Nelson misused her access as an Erie County Department of Social Services worker to redirect HEAP benefits in the names of other people to properties she owned, without the knowledge or consent of the rightful recipients. Her fraudulent actions resulted in nearly $5,000 worth of unauthorized heating services at the expense of Erie County taxpayers. 'As a public employee, Ms. Nelson was entrusted with administering essential services to those in need,' Lang said. 'Instead, she exploited her position for personal gain, undermining a vital program intended to assist vulnerable New Yorkers. This case underscores our unwavering commitment to holding those who abuse public resources accountable.' 'This program is reserved for low-income individuals and families who truly need help paying for their home utilities,' added Erie County District Attorney Mike Keane. 'I want to thank the Offices of the New York State Inspector General and Erie County Department of Social Services HEAP Office for their partnership in this investigation. Together, we will continue to hold those who fraudulently obtain these benefits accountable.' Nelson's employment with the Erie County DSS was terminated as a result of her actions. Inspector General Lang extended her appreciation to the investigative team, including Investigative Counsel John Philipps, Investigator Erynn Migaj, and Investigator Christopher Martello, under the supervision of Deputy Inspector General Jeffrey Hagen, Chief of Investigations Martin Stanford, and Attorney-in-Charge of Welfare Matters Andrew Weiss. Lang also commended the Erie County Department of Social Services for its prompt referral and cooperation, as well as DA Keane and his office for their diligent prosecution of the case.
