Boston Lawyer Accused of $2M Client Heist

BOSTON – A pillar of the Massachusetts legal community is facing ruin after being charged with a brazen scheme to steal over $2 million from his own clients. Patrick J. Dolan, 60, of North Attleboro and Haverhill, was slapped with four counts of wire fraud today, a federal indictment detailing years of alleged deception and financial abuse.

According to charging documents unsealed today, Dolan’s alleged fraud spanned from November 2018 to November 2024. The scheme centered around funds Dolan held in escrow, ostensibly for the benefit of clients involved in a complex family trust lawsuit. Instead of safeguarding those assets, prosecutors say Dolan treated the accounts like a personal piggy bank, diverting funds for his own enrichment and that of his family.

The indictment paints a grim picture of lavish spending fueled by stolen money. Dolan allegedly used the pilfered funds to cover mortgage payments, foot tuition bills, and service student loans. Personal items and services weren’t off-limits either, all paid for with money entrusted to him by those who believed they could rely on his legal expertise. The alleged theft extended beyond the trust lawsuit, with Dolan accused of siphoning at least $87,500 from a supplemental needs trust established for another client. This money, prosecutors claim, went towards a down payment on a Haverhill property where Dolan subsequently resided with his family.

The feds allege Dolan didn’t stop at simply stealing the money; he actively concealed his actions. False statements were allegedly made to clients and others, bank statements were falsified, and accounting records were manipulated to cover his tracks. This wasn’t a simple oversight, but a calculated effort to maintain the illusion of financial responsibility while systematically looting client funds.

If convicted on the wire fraud charges, Dolan faces a stiff penalty: up to 20 years in federal prison, three years of supervised release, and a hefty $250,000 fine. However, sentencing will ultimately be at the discretion of the federal district court judge, guided by U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes. The announcement was made jointly by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristina E. Barclay of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit is leading the prosecution. It’s crucial to remember that the details laid out in the charging documents are, at this stage, allegations. Patrick J. Dolan is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it unfolds, bringing you the raw truth from the courtroom.

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