Former Newtown Lawyer Sentenced to Prison for Theft

NEWTOWN, CT — A former Newtown lawyer was sentenced to prison for stealing nearly $2 million from clients, friends and family members.

Thomas M. Murtha, 62, of Birmingham, MI and formerly of Newtown, was sentenced by the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut to 78 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Murtha operated a law practice under the name Maher & Murtha LLC in Bridgeport. Beginning in approximately November 2011, Murtha stole approximately $2 million from more than 20 individuals, including law clients, friends and family members. More than $516,000 of the stolen funds were for the benefit of an individual with mental health issues. Murtha submitted false or forged documents to victims, according to court papers. He also incurred charges on credit cards in the names of others without their knowledge or permission.

The investigation revealed that Murtha used some of the stolen funds in connection with the purchase of a $725,000 house in Birmingham and on other expenses that included the purchase and care of show horses.

The court ordered Murtha to pay total restitution of $1,994,467.15, and to forfeit his interests in the house in Michigan and a 2.11 carat diamond engagement ring that the government has seized.

In September 2016, Murtha resigned from the bar after three grievance complaints were filed against him. He was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on April 5, 2017, and a grand jury returned a multi-count indictment against him on August 16, 2017. On May 30, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.

Murtha, who is released on bond, was ordered to report to the U.S. Marshals Service on November 26, to begin service of his sentence.