Former Attorney Charged With Stealing Money From Seven Clients: DA

LONG BEACH, NY - A former Long Beach attorney has been charged with stealing money from seven clients after he surrendered himself to authorities on Thursday morning, according to Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas.

In October 2011, 51-year-old Frank Adipietro, was hired by a client to represent him on a DWI charge in Nassau County, according to the DA.

Adipietro allegedly lied to his client and said that in order for him to stay out on bail, the client would have to make continuous payments to the court, the DA said.

Between October 2011 and June 2015, the client paid Adipietro $80,650 in cash, which he pocketed, towards his bail so that he would be free, the DA said.

According to Singas, he allegedly defrauded six other clients in separate matters including:

• An Elmont client who Apipietro told he was using money for “court fees” and that the client no longer had to come to court. A bench warrant was issued against the client and he was arrested.

• A Bellmore client who had his motorcycle repossessed because Adipietro didn’t pay the bank the money as he should have.

• The sister of a Baldwin client who paid him $10,000 for bail even though the he had been remanded.

• A Valley Stream client who paid Apipietro $3,200 in order to pay numerous traffic tickets. He told the client that the tickets had been paid, but the client was arrested on a warrant.

• A Merrick client who paid him $2,495 for fines and surcharges to “the people in Supreme Court.” The client then discovered that there were in fact no fines or fees owed.

• The sister of a defendant who paid him $2,500 for bail even though her brother had already been released from custody.

He was arrested by DA investigators in January 2015 on charges related to stealing money from a client in a gambling case, according to the DA. Adipietro is charged with one count of third degree grand larceny in that matter and the case is still pending, according to Singas.

He resigned from the New York State Bar in August 2015 and can no longer practice law in the state, Singas said.

Adipietro was arraigned on Thursday before District Court Judge Joseph Girardi on charges of second degree grand larceny and first degree scheme to defraud, according to the DA.

He was conditionally released to probation and is expected back in court on April 4.

Adipietro could face up to 5 to 15 years in prison if convicted on the top count, according to Singas.

“Attorneys have a responsibility to represent their clients in an honest and ethical manner,” Singas said. “This former attorney allegedly enriched himself at the expense of his clients and I encourage anyone else who may have been victimized to contact our office and file a complaint.”

Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of a crime is encouraged to call the NCDA Tip Line at (516) 571-7755.