Ex-Suffolk Attorney Accused Of Stealing $70K From Clients Indicted: DA

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — A former attorney was accused of stealing $70K from clients in connection with two real estate transactions, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said Thursday.

Daniel Fier, 40, of Patchogue, was indicted on charges of second-degree grand larceny and third-degree grand larceny.

"Alleged theft by professional misconduct is just as serious as any other larceny," Tierney said in a news release. "I am committed to impactful sentences on theft that will hold offenders accountable, strongly deter future crime, and expediently restore victims’ accounts."

In January 2022, Fier was hired to represent a seller in a real estate transaction, the DA said. As part of the sale, a down payment of $13,450 was transferred from the purchaser to Fier’s attorney escrow account, prosecutors said.

Fier was required to hold the money in escrow and release it to the seller when he received authorization from the purchaser, officials said. However, Fier was accused of spending the purchaser’s money on personal expenses instead, investigators said. When the purchaser later authorized release of the funds to the seller, the seller requested that Fier release the funds, but Fier never did, authorities said.

Later, in October 2023, Fier was appointed as referee on the auction of a real estate property, the DA said. On Oct. 16, 2023, the property’s purchaser provided a down payment in the form of $65K, which Fier deposited into his attorney escrow account, officials said.

Fier was required to hold the money in escrow and release it to the bank at the time of the property’s closing, Tierney said. However, Fier again spent the purchaser’s money on personal expenses, investigators said.

In November 2023, at the time of the real estate closing, when the purchaser later authorized release of the funds to the seller, the seller requested that Fier release the funds, Fier was accused of not complying, prosecutors said.

Fier was arrested on Monday by investigators assigned to the Public Corruption Squad of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. He was arraigned Tuesday.

Fier was released on his own recognizance with the condition that he be placed on supervised release. Fier is due back in court on Feb. 4 and faces 5 to 15 years in prison if convicted on the top count. He is being represented by Jeremy Scileppi.

"If you believe you have been victimized by Daniel Fier, please call the Suffolk County District
Attorney’s Office at 631-853-4626," the DA's Office wrote.