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Former lawyer to spend 33 months in prison for embezzlement

January 24, 2008 @ 12:04 PM

Herald-Dispatch.com

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A former bond lawyer who embezzled nearly $200,000 from his firm will spend almost three years in prison.

Leonard Coleman of Elkview was sentenced to 33 months in prison Wednesday by U.S. District Judge John T. Copenhaver Jr. in Charleston.

Coleman pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud in August. He must also make full restitution of $192,740.

He embezzled client fees from Goodwin & Goodwin of Charleston between September 2004 and May 2005. He was fired when the embezzlement was discovered in 2005 and was stripped of his West Virginia law license in 2006.

Coleman’s attorney, Troy Giatras, likened his client’s situation to a Greek tragedy. He said Coleman earned $240,000 a year as a partner at Goodwin & Goodwin and now works at Kmart, stocking shelves at night.

Coleman apologized to his former partners and colleagues, and to the state’s legal community. He said he stole the money, partly to support his “high-maintenance girlfriend.”