Previous Story
Ex-legal secretary sued for alleged theft of fees
|
Posted on Nov 14 2006
The Law Office of Douglas F. Cushnie has sued its former legal secretary for allegedly stealing money from the office by inflating attorney’s fees and forging checks.
Cushnie’s law office asked the Superior Court to order Lucy M. Deleon Guerrero to pay him compensatory and punitive damages, and attorney’s fees.
Cushnie stated in the complaint that Deleon Guerrero has been employed at the firm as a legal secretary for several years. The lawyer alleged that at certain times, Deleon Guerrero received funds in cash and checks from their clients.
Cushnie said the defendant forged his name on checks received and negotiated such checks for her own benefit.
He said Deleon Guerrero converted and used funds for her own use and benefit without his knowledge or permission.
“At certain times, she inflated fees charged by plaintiff, without plaintiff’s knowledge and submitted such inflated fees to clients,” the lawyer said.
Cushnie said that, upon the payment of the inflated fees, Deleon Guerrero secured the checks and forged his name on them.
