Former federal prosecutor gets 30-day sentence for $600K client theft
A former top federal prosecutor in Connecticut had faced a sentence of up to 41 months in prison for embezzling more than $600,000 from the trust fund of an imprisoned former client.
But U.S. District Judge Victor Bolden departed from the federal sentencing guidelines in sentencing H. James Pickerstein on Tuesday to 30 days in prison, report the Hartford Courant and the Connecticut Law Tribune (sub. req.). Pickerstein will also have to serve six months of home detention during a three-year period of supervised release.
Pickerstein served briefly as Connecticut’s top federal prosecutor in 1974 and was first assistant U.S. Attorney for many years. He pleaded guilty to mail fraud in January and agreed to pay restitution to Travelers Insurance, which reimbursed Pickerstein’s law firm after it paid the client the stolen money. Pickerstein worked at McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter. Pickerstein will also reimburse his client for legal fees.
Pickerstein’s lawyer had cited his prostate cancer in seeking a reduced sentence. Nearly three dozen supporters wrote letters telling the judge of Pickerstein’s generosity and kindness.
One former federal prosecutor hired by Pickerstein, Andrew Bowman, said that Pickerstein felt guilt and responsibility after one of his sons committed suicide in 1999, according to the Hartford Courant. Pickerstein incurred large expenses providing for his other sons, according to Bowman and the defense. Part of the money he stole, however, also went to pay taxes he owed.
In justifying the lower sentence, the judge also cited Pickerstein’s wife’s disability, his role caring for a grandson, and the fact that the former client didn’t want Pickerstein to go to prison.
