June 23, 2014

Lawyer Sentenced for Stealing Client Funds

PHILADELPHIA—Gomer Thomas Williams, 54, of Philadelphia, PA, was sentenced today to 24 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution for a scheme to defraud clients of the legal firm where he worked. Williams was an attorney and associate with the Philadelphia law firm, Spector Gadon & Rosen (“Spector”). Between 2007 and 2012, Williams defrauded four of his trust and estate clients of approximately $503,361 by diverting funds from his clients’ accounts to his personal accounts, and by overbilling his clients for legal work that was not performed. He pleaded guilty in March to one count of wire fraud.

For the trusts, Williams was the trustee, and, for the estates, Williams was the administrator and/or executor. Williams exercised complete control over the victim-clients’ funds, including controlling their checking accounts. Williams abused his fiduciary position in transferring funds from their accounts to pay his own personal expenses, including his mortgage.

In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Legrome Davis ordered restitution in the amount of $503,361, three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by First Assistant United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.