Police: Salem County Attorney Accused Of Stealing $200,000 From Clients
By Diana Rocco
PENNSVILLE, N.J., (CBS) -- Authorities say a Salem County attorney is facing charges. He is accused of stealing $200,000 from 12 clients.
Once a popular Pennsville attorney, 56-year-old Martin Siegel is now in police custody and on his way to county jail. Police say he stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from clients of his Pennsville law firm.
"Through a lengthy investigation it was discovered Mr. Siegel had taken approximately $200,000 from clients over a three year period who had retained him for representation in civil litigation," Chief Allen J. Cummings of Pennsville Police Department said.
The first client came forward in April saying Siegel kept their settlement money. Police say there are at least 12 victims over the past three years.
"The clients came to him for his service, and if the case went into a direction where they received funds for their case, the actual victim did not receive the fund, he kept that," Chief Cummings said.
According to investigators, Siegel was writing checks to his relatives from the law firm's account and then forging their signature and cashing the checks.
He was arrested at his Mantua home Thursday, but had nothing to say on his own behalf.
Siegel has been held on $260,000 bail. Pennsville Police believe that there may be other victims out there and are asking anyone with information to come forward.