Wheaton Attorney Disbarred While Facing Criminal Charges

WHEATON, IL — On Thursday it was announced that a Wheaton attorney facing criminal charges was disbarred for stealing nearly $2 million from elderly clients and from a client who passed away, The Daily Herald reports.

The Illinois Supreme Court and the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission said Robert Beck, 49, licensed in 1995, "intentionally misappropriated funds in excess of $700,000 from two elderly clients, one of whom suffered from dementia, and an additional $189,500 from the estate of a third client following that client's death."

A bank investigator became suspicious of Beck's transactions, who allegedly cheated four former and three current clients of $1 million from July 2000 through January 2015. His bail was set for $250,000.

Beck is accused of stealing money from a client's trusts for the estate and would then use that money for personal and business expenses. Beck would then steal money from a different client's trust for the estate to pay back the estate of his previous victims, The Daily Herald reports.

Beck is also charged with shifting about $1.3 million among the trusts to cover up the thefts.

Beck is next due in court on Thursday.

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