Ex-prosecutor who stole $700K from clients had 'profound remorse' for prior claimed theft
A former New York prosecutor has admitted to embezzling $700,000 from four real estate clients.
Robert DePalma, 54, who has a St. George law office and formerly worked for the Staten Island district attorney, has pleaded guilty to a scheme to defraud and four counts of second-degree grand larceny, said Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown in a news release (scroll down).
One client, who sold a home for $274,000, got nothing, reports the Staten Island Advance, as DePalma allegedly used the money for personal and business expenses.
His lawyer, Eric Nelson, declined to comment when contacted by the newspaper.
In 2012, DePalma was disbarred by consent in New Jersey due to a claimed $3,800 misappropriation from a client. However, the reciprocal discipline imposed in New York in 2013 was reduced to a suspension, reports another Staten Island Advance article published earlier this year.
An opinion by the Second Department imposing the suspension cited DePalma’s “profound remorse” and “full acceptance of responsibility,” the newspaper says.
It also noted DePalma’s “impressive” character witnesses,” including five judges, and “outstanding service to the community.”
DePalma faces up to 9 years when he is sentenced on Dec. 23 in the New York case.
