Brooklyn Heights

Brooklyn lawyer disbarred for $1 million theft

March 25, 2014 By Charisma L. Miller, Esq. Brooklyn Daily Eagle
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The Appellate Division, 2nd Department, has officially disbarred a Brooklyn attorney accused of stealing over a million dollars from a client’s real estate transaction.

A complaint was made against Robert Fontanelli, an attorney for 15 years, after it was revealed that two clients were missing the proceeds, totaling $1.495 million, from Crown Heights and Marine Park real estate transactions that Fontanelli handled. In 2013, the Appellate Division suspended Fontanelli for an undefined period of time after checks to clients were returned for insufficient funds.

Fontanelli did not provide any information as to his defense or say where the monies where used, and if the funds were used for Fontanelli’s personal expenses or for unknown business expenses. Charges for criminal larceny were subsequently issued by the Kings County District Attorney’s office, and a warrant was released for Fontanelli’s arrest.

Last month, Fontanelli was stopped by state troopers for driving with an expired inspection sticker and was swiftly arrested after it was discovered that Fontanelli was wanted in Brooklyn for larceny.

Hearing the case against Fontanelli for the second time, the Appellate Division issued an order of disbarment for the attorney, who held an office at 32 Court St.

Fontanelli has plead not guilty to the larceny charges.

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