Ex-Lawyer to Get 4 Years for Stealing $824K from Dead Client’s Trust

A former California lawyer pleaded no contest yesterday to a charge of felony embezzlement and is expected to get a four-year prison term for embezzling a little over $824,000 from a deceased client's trust into his personal account over an 18-month period.

Edward Duff Hume, 60, also subsequently persuaded two elderly clients to loan him $100,000 for home improvements, which he has not repaid, reports the San Francisco Chronicle.

His San Mateo County Superior Court case also involved a no-contest plea to an enhancement alleging excessive theft, the newspaper reports. Restitution is to be determined at a later date.

Hume resigned from the California bar last year as a disciplinary case was pending.

Earlier coverage:

San Francisco Examiner (wire report): "Former attorney charged with embezzling from client"