Former Melrose Lawyer Accused Of Stealing From Clients

MELROSE, MA — A resident is facing multiple theft charges through his job as an attorney, Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan announced.

Henry Rappa Jr., 57, was officially indicted on two counts of embezzlement or misapplication by a fiduciary, two counts of larceny over $1,200, and unauthorized practice of law in connection with the alleged theft of funds from two legal clients.

According to the investigation, Rappa spent funds that were required to be held in a trust account for one of his clients. The $660,000 was first entrusted to Rappa in September of 2023, with the expectation that they would be transferred to the trust at the resolution of a legal dispute. He reportedly delayed the transfer with repeated excuses and ignored requests from both the client and the Board of Bar Overseers, ultimately failing to return the money.

“This alleged conduct represents a profound breach of trust. Attorneys are entrusted with safeguarding their clients’ most sensitive matters and, in many cases, significant financial assets. The intentional misuse of those funds, particularly after being explicitly ordered by the court to cease practicing law and relinquish control of client accounts, is as egregious as it is unlawful,” Ryan said. “These charges underscore our commitment to holding individuals accountable when they exploit positions of trust for personal gain.”

In 2025, a justice of the Supreme Judicial Court ordered Rappa to resign from all fiduciary roles, including as a guardian, executor, administrator, trustee, and attorney-in-fact. He was also ordered to provide clients with any papers or property to which they were entitled and to close all interest on any outstanding accounts. However, Ryan said that Rappa violated the orders and continued to act on behalf of his clients and defrauding them. Last December, Rappa reportedly handled a real estate closing for a client in which he illegally kept and spent more than $20,000 that should have been distributed to the client.

Assistant District Attorney Mary O’Neill is prosecuting the case. Rappa was arraigned in Malden District Court on Thursday, April 2.

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