DA: Disbarred Lawyer Pleads Guilty to Stealing from Clients

A disbarred lawyer pleaded guilty Friday to felony charges that she stole thousands of dollars from clients, according to the Nassau County District Attorney’s office.

Reinelda Elizabeth Urena de Checo, 41, of Freeport, pleaded guilty to third-degree grand larceny before Judge Scott Fairgrieve, said the DA.

Urena de Checo is due to be sentenced Oct. 16. The expected sentence involves paying full restitution of $28,925 to four victims by her sentencing, five years probation, and 500 hours of community service, said the DA.

Urena de Checo was accused of taking money from clients she represented in Nassau and Suffolk Counties without performing any services, said the DA. She allegedly stole money meant to pay settlements from two separate civil cases as well as taking money and using it for a downpayment on a house, the DA said. A fourth victim paid Urena de Checo to represent her in a divorce case but found she had not performed any legal services, officials said.

Urena de Checo was disbarred in January and charged in March after an investigation by the Nassau County District Attorney’s office.

“When people pay money to retain a lawyer’s services, they have a right to representation by an attorney who puts the best interest of their clients above themselves,” NCDA Kathleen Rice said after Urena de Checo’s arrest. “Clients shouldn’t have to wonder if their attorney is actually working on their behalf, or profiting from their position for their own personal gain.”