 |
|
| Barbara Lieberman |
A New Jersey elder law attorney who last year pleaded guilty to stealing millions from clients, targeting those with substantial assets and no immediate family, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. In sentencing Barbara Lieberman, Judge Michael Donio called her the “quarterback” of a ring of co-conspirators who allegedly stole $3.8 million dollars from 16 vulnerable seniors over the course of a decade.
As part of a plea deal, Lieberman agreed to pay $3 million in restitution and to testify against her co-defendants. In what officials say is an ongoing investigation, five others have been indicted so far, including a former caseworker for Adult Protective Services, a doctor, and the owner of a company that offered seniors “custom designed life care and legal financial planning.”
Lieberman and Jan Van Holt, the owner of the life care company, were the alleged ringleaders. Between 2006 and 2013 the pair allegedly took control of their victims’ finances by forging powers of attorney or obtaining them under false pretenses. They would then allegedly add their names to the victims’ bank accounts or transfer the victims’ funds into new accounts they controlled. The thefts continued after the victims died, with Lieberman becoming executrix of the wills of some of her clients and milking their estates.
“This is why people don’t trust lawyers . . . because of one lawyer’s decision to line her own pockets at the expense of elderly victims who were unable to defend themselves,” Superior Court Judge Michael Donio said at Lieberman’s sentencing hearing.
“I am sorry. I am to blame, your honor,” Lieberman said.
Lieberman’s sentence was the one recommended by the state: ten years with three and a half years of parole ineligibility.
For more on the sentencing from CBS Philly, click here.
Subscribe to the Knowledge Bank.
