Former Port Orchard Attorney Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison
A former Port Orchard attorney, who stole a bequest left by a client for the benefit of a children’s hospital, and then defrauded a close friend, was sentenced to 18 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release for wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown.
Darlene Piper, 57, of Bremerton, Washington pleaded guilty on August 30, 2021. Piper was indicted in September 2020, following a multi-year fraudulent scheme.
According to records filed in the case, Piper practiced law in Port Orchard, handling wills, trusts and probate of estates. In 2011, she prepared a will for a client who left his entire estate to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
However, when that client died in 2014, Piper as executor of the estate, stole $500,000 from the estate and invested it in Paraguay. When the children’s hospital inquired about the funds it was owed, Piper stole from a friend to repay the hospital.
The victim had just sold a home, and the money was for her retirement. The victim sued Piper and won. However, Piper has not paid the victim any of the money awarded through the litigation.
U.S. District Judge Robert J. Bryan ordered Piper to sell the waterfront property within 6 months to compensate her victims. He ordered her to pay restitution of $500,000.
Piper had already given up her law license and bar membership, after the Washington State Bar Association was poised to sanction her for stealing $42,000 from two other clients.
The case was investigated by the FBI. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Dion, and by former Assistant United States Attorneys Arlen Storm and Andre Penalver.
Defendant: Darlene Piper
Criminal Charges: Wire Fraud
City and State: Tacoma, Washington
Crime Date: 2011
Sentence: 18 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release
Restitution: $500,000
Fine: Not applicable
Dollar Amount: $500,000 (stolen from estate)
Dollar Amount: $42,000 (stolen from other clients)
Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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