Crimes Against Clients Sends Disbarred Smyrna Attorney To Jail

MARIETTA, GA -- A disbarred Smyrna attorney has pleaded guilty to theft, forgery and elder-exploitation charges related to crimes committed against 17 of his former clients and been sentenced to serve 15 years in prison. Richard Vinson Merritt, 44, admitted in court on Friday that between 2014 and 2017 he settled civil lawsuits on his clients’ behalf without telling the clients, forged their signatures on settlement checks and documents, and kept the money that was intended for his clients’ benefit.

Some of his client-victims were pursuing medical malpractice claims and are now further injured financially because of Merritt’s crimes and abuse. Some other victims are elderly. Merritt lied to the victims, leading them to believe he was still pursuing their legal claims. Meanwhile, he was spending the unauthorized settlement funds on lavish vacations and a Porsche.

“The victims came to him for help, and he helped himself instead,” Senior ADA Jason Marbutt said. “People ought to be able to trust their lawyer. When a lawyer lies, it has ripple effects on the entire system.”

Several victims testified during the day-long hearing on Friday about the effect Merritt’s actions have had on their lives, not to mention their opinion of lawyers and faith in the justice system. One referred to him as “a mendacious scoundrel.” Another said Merritt was “a professional con man.”

After accepting the non-negotiated plea and hearing the testimony, Cobb Superior Court Judge Robert E. Flournoy III sentenced Merritt to 30 years, with 15 years to serve in prison and the balance on probation. Merritt was also ordered to pay restitution of $454,706. Judge Flournoy granted Merritt’s request for time to get his affairs in order before returning to custody, giving him until 5 p.m. on Feb. 1 to turn himself in.

Merritt surrendered his bar license in January 2018, shortly before his arrest in this case.

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