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Attorney sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for defrauding clients
by Joseph Earnest April 3, 2014
Newscast Media MIAMI—In an elaborate scheme that was hatched to defraud clients who had trusted him, the once-famous Florida attorney, Anthony Livoti Jr. was sentenced to 10 years in a federal prison for his misconduct, and was ordered to pay restitution of $826 million to his victims.
In his khaki jail scrubs, the shackled Livoti made a plea to the court for leniency.
"I had a life that was always filled with joy, now I have a life filled with sadness," the attorney told the court. "Judge, I am a life worth saving," he implored the judge.
Investors were also among his victims, in a scheme that defrauded senior citizens and patients suffering from terminal illnesses. Investors were told they would reap a profit once the patients and seniors died, and their policies sold.
Once the attorney received the money, his clients were never disbursed the funds they were promised.
"I lost my way and I wish I could go back and change it," Livoti said, apologizing to the victims for what he called the "terrible wrong" he committed.
Cases where greedy attorneys defraud or over-bill their clients thousands of dollars are not unusual, and the FBI is among one of the several federal agencies that aggressively pursues attorneys engaged in client fraud. (pop-up)
"When a lawyer, an officer of the court, defrauds clients, it's a serious crime—and a heinous breach of trust," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Edward J. Hanko. "The FBI is committed to investigating financial schemes at every level and working with our partners to hold white-collar crooks accountable," he added, referring to another FBI-investigated case where lawyers defrauded eight of their clients. (pop-up)
During Livoti's sentencing, federal prosecutors said Livoti abused his position as an attorney and violated the public trust. Add Comments>>
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