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A (record?) long probation sentence for Florida lawyer who stole from his clients

By Douglas A. Berman

This local story out of Florida, which is headlined "Disbarred Boca lawyer sentenced to 25 year probation for taking $577,000 of clients' money," has me wondering if anyone know the longest sentence of probation ever imposed. Here are the particulars of this interesting white-collar state sentencing case: Longtime Boca Raton attorney Joseph Keeley, who earlier pleaded guilty to grand theft after stealing $577,000 from a client's trust account, faced sentencing Friday.  Keeley, 64, suffers a vocal chord disorder called spasmotic dysphonia and testified, eking out in a strangled voice his explanation to Circuit Judge Amy Smith that he took the money to cover expenses at his Boca Raton firm. His family members -- son, wife of 38 years and father-in-law - also had trouble explaining what happened, describing watching his decline from an hardworking, honest man - into what they testified they suspect is mental illness...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on June 26, 2010 (boomark / email).