Conn. Attorney Bribed & Tampered With His Own Client, Jury Finds
A Connecticut attorney accused of accepting a secret $12,000 contribution to a “charity” from a client and then using the money himself has been found guilty of witness tampering and bribery.
However, Robert Karanian, 56, was acquitted of a theft count, reports the Hartford Courant. His lawyer, Richard Brown, says he is disappointed with the jury verdict and intends to appeal.
When he is sentenced in November, Karanian, who practiced in New Britain, could get as much as 10 years on each of the two felony convictions.
The article says the client, Daniel Chiulli, now 41, allegedly was told by Karanian that he would get a suspended sentence in a drug case if he made the charitable contribution. Although he reportedly did get a suspended sentence, Chiulli apparently complained and helped the government obtain recorded evidence against his now-former attorney, according to the newspaper article.
It says Chiulli paid Karanian $7,500 in attorney fees, in addition to the $12,000. The lawyer reportedly divided the payment between his personal and business accounts. No mention was made of the $12,000 at sentencing, or in the court file, the Courant reports.
Topics: Career & Practice
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