Former Sunset Park Lawyer Stole $150K From Clients, DA Says

SUNSET PARK, NY — A lawyer who used to have an office in Sunset Park swiped $150,000 from two clients put into his escrow account, prosecutors said.

Robert Parker, 53, of Eaton, PA, was indicted Monday after prosecutors accused him of stealing the funds from the account over a four year period while he kept an office in Sunset Park, District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced.

The money included about $98,000 for a real estate deal and a settlement of $55,000 meant to go to a client after a settlement put into his escrow account, authorities said.

Despite numerous attempts to contact him, Parker never responded and his clients filed a complaint with the court's Grievance Committee, who handed the case of to the DA's office, Gonzalez said.

Parker was hit with a four-count indictment for grand larceny and perjury and was released without bail, prosecutors said. He's scheduled to return to court on Sept. 19.

"This defendant was entrusted to safeguard these funds, but instead allegedly stole the money and used it for his own purposes," Gonzalez said in a statement. "We will now hold him accountable for his alleged criminal actions."

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