RI Lawyer Arrested, Charged With Embezzling More Than $1 Million

COVENTRY, RI— A disbarred lawyer has been charged with embezzling more than a million dollars from his clients, state police said Monday. Attorney Vincent J. Mitchell's practice, which was based in Warwick, specialized in estate planning and long-term health care planning, state police said. He gave himself up last summer when he reportedly told the state Supreme Court's chief disciplinary counsel he took $1,207,233 from 10 clients without their ok. He allegedly took the money for his personal use.

The state police Financial Crimes unit investigated and arrested Mitchell, who lives in Coventry, on Monday. He is being charged with 10 counts of embezzlement and fraudulent conversion (over $100).

Mitchell was disbarred last summer. He was arraigned in Sixth District Court today and released on $100,000 personal recognizance.