Disbarred Attorney Convicted Of Diverting Funds
FREEHOLD, N.J. (AP) — A disbarred attorney has been convicted of withdrawing cash from a court-ordered escrow fund in his attorney trust account.
Monmouth County prosecutors say 50-year-old Eugene LaVergne, of West Long Branch, faces nearly 12 years in prison when he's sentenced Dec. 19. He was convicted of misapplication of entrusted funds and contempt of court.
The charges stemmed from LaVergne's representation of an estate that was in litigation before a state chancery court judge from July 2009 through November 2010.
The judge ordered LaVergne to hold $200,000 in escrow in his attorney trust account, pending the resolution of certain issues in the matter. But he instead took about $108,000 from the escrowed funds by making 130 cash withdrawals and used the funds to pay numerous personal bills and expenses.
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