Legal Ethics
Suit Targets Lawyer in Trust Dispute
An animal shelter has accused a Pittsburgh lawyer of improperly diverting money from a widow’s estate to three of his favored charities.
The no-kill Pittsburgh shelter, Animal Friends, claims Gregory Harbaugh obtained power of attorney from widow Rita Conrady as her health was failing and then changed her trust to divert money from four charities, the Legal Intelligencer reports. The changes reduced Animal Friends’ bequest to $500,000, half the original amount, the suit says.
The complaint alleges the money was designated for three new groups with ties to Harbaugh and his wife, the article says. Harbaugh and his attorney did not return the Intelligencer’s calls for comment.
