Former Grayson Lawyer Indicted For Allegedly Stealing From Clients

A former Gwinnett County attorney has been indicted in federal court on charges of mail and wire fraud.

Michael Rene Berlon, 55, of Grayson is accused of stealing from clients under false pretenses through his law firm. In total, Berlon is accused of receiving $1.8 million in client funds from 2008 to 2013.

According to U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates, the indictment claims Berlon took money from clients who believed he would create a trust for them and hold the funds in the trust.

“Instead, Berlon used the funds for personal expenses, including to pay his American Express bill and to repay other clients,” Yates’ office said in a press release.

Also, Berlon is accused of stealing from two clients who wanted to start a business. He allegedly told them he would help them get a loan, but they would need to pay a percentage of the loan amount as a down payment. He allegedly used the money for personal expenses instead.

Berlon was arraigned before Linda T. Walker, United States Magistrate Judge. He was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 9.