Ex-Lawyer Convicted for Misleading Clients at 'Divorce With Dignity' Clinic
A disbarred Vermont lawyer who moved to Arizona and opened an office called “Divorce with Dignity” has been convicted of theft and fraud for leading clients to believe he had a law license.
Gary Karpin was convicted of 23 counts of theft and one count of fraud, the Arizona Republic reports. Karpin came to the attention of authorities after a client learned the former lawyer was dating his wife at the same time he was helping the couple get a divorce, the story says. The unhappy client investigated and filed a civil suit against Karpin.
One client, Gina Niedzwiecki, paid Karpin more than $87,000 in one year. He displayed a legal diploma on his wall and had ads and business cards that implied he worked for a law firm, according to the story. He acted as a mediator, and his clients had to file their own divorce papers.
Karpin faces up to 9¼ years in prison when he is sentenced on Nov. 21.
