The Virginian-Pilot
©
NORFOLK
A former Franklin lawyer pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to falsifying bankruptcy papers involving nearly $4 million he loaned to himself from an elderly client.
James Edward Moyler Jr., 79, who now lives in Williamsburg, is scheduled to be sentenced on April 30. He faces up to five years in prison.
Moyler was a longtime, respected lawyer in Franklin but was forced to file for bankruptcy in 2008. He and his wife declared $4.2 million in debts, but he failed to disclose that he had "borrowed" just under $4 million from a client, according to court records.
The records say that between 2000 and 2009 Moyler "converted for his personal benefit" the money from the estate of the client, Lucille Steinhardt. After her death, at age 101, none of her beneficiaries received any of those funds.
Moyler remains free on bond pending sentencing.
The Virginia State Bar revoked Moyler's law license last year after conducting its own investigation.
Moyler had initially been discharged from bankruptcy without having any funds to repay creditors, but a bankruptcy judge granted a motion by the United States to reopen the case. A hearing in the Newport News bankruptcy court is set for Feb. 19.
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Lies & Omissions
Probably fearing discovery of his embezzlement, he omitted claiming it as a debt or asset, leaving open the door for suit if the estate sues for recovery. Bankruptcy doesn't shield one from omitted debt claims.
no doubt he's done it before
You just don't learn a new trick at 79 years old. Bankruptcies are still just too darned easy to get. Irresponsible people need to be held to the iron on paying back what they rack up, same with GM or any other large coporation. It's a free country....free to succeed, or in turn free to fail, it's a choice.
Another one!
Another lawyer that should go to jail! However his fellow judges will probably look after him. Earlier we found out that members of the general assembly are stealing from taxpayers with their appointments. No much difference between the two.