An Essex County Grand Jury returned a five count indictment charging Michael Scoon, 52, attorney, Union, New Jersey with two counts of Third Degree Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition of Property Received, two counts of Third Degree Misapplication of Entrusted funds and one count of Fourth Degree Forgery.
The indictment alleges that , who had a law practice in Maplewood, misappropriated funds totaling $49,689.72 that were being held in his attorney trust account on behalf of three clients. In February 2002, Scoon settled a personal injury case without his clients’, Alvain and Cherril Rogers, permission, forged their names on the settlement checks and used the money without their permission. It is also alleges that Scoon took his client, Serge Vincent’s, down payment on a real estate transaction and converted the money to his own use in June 2003.
This matter was referred to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office by the Office of Attorney Ethics which is headed by Director David Hohnson, Jr. The investigation conducted by the Office of Attorney Ethics resulted in the suspension of Michael C. Scoon from the practice of law.
If convicted, Michael Scoon faces up to eleven and one half (11 ½) years in State Prison, fines totaling $30,000.00 and restitution. The charges in the indictment are merely formal accusations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Rachel Dollar, the editor of Mortgage Fraud Blog is an attorney and Certified Mortgage Banker who handles litigation for lending institutions and secondary market investors.