Ex-lawyer Indicted Over Land Deal

An ex-lawyer from Orangeburg has been indicted today by a Rockland County grand jury in New City on charges he stole $70,000 during his involvement with a land deal in Piermont.

As a result of the investigation, Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe said Barnett R. Rogers, 80, of 32 Henry St. has resigned as a lawyer. If convicted of the charge of second-degree grand larceny, Rogers faces a sentence of up to 15 years in prison.

"This defendant not only violated the trust that his clients placed in him, but also let down the entire legal system, which counts on members of the bar to conduct themselves in an ethical matter," Zugibe said.

Rogers is accused of stealing more than $70,000 from a Queens couple he represented during the sale of a parcel of vacant land in Piermont. Zugibe said Rogers represented the couple in a number of proceedings leading up to the sale of the property. After the closing, Zugibe said Rogers converted money in his escrow account to himself rather than turning over the net proceeds of the sale to his clients, both of whom are in their 70s.

The victims reported Rogers' to the Rockland County District Attorney's Office as well as to the Grievance Committee for the Ninth Judicial District, the arm of the courts that imposes discipline on attorneys. Rogers' arrest and indictment resulted from an investigation conducted by the Rockland County Special Investigation's Unit, Zugibe said.

Rogers next faces arraignment on the indictment is Rockland County Court in New City.