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The owner of a Kent paralegal firm who has been investigated by state officials for alleged ?unauthorized practice of law? during the past 13 years is now facing potential criminal charges.

Steven Janda, who owns Evergreen Paralegal Service, was charged in King County Superior Court late last week with unlawful practice of law, first-degree theft and second-degree theft.

The state Attorney General?s Office started investigating Janda in 1997 and in 2004 he signed an agreement with the state Practice of Law Board, promising to refrain from engaging in the practice of law, court charging documents said.

But since 2004, five additional complaints were filed with the law board, prosecutors said.

The board was created by the state Supreme Court in 2001 to enforce rules prohibiting individuals and organizations from engaging in unauthorized legal and law-related services, as well as to promote affordable and reliable legal services. The board has 13 members, appointed by the Supreme Court to serve three-year terms.

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