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Former Lawyer’s $1M Scam Unravels

A former New Jersey attorney has been sentenced to 24 months in prison for falsifying defendants’ names in over 100 asbestos suits to increase business and his standing in the firm, according to U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman.

Arobert C. Tonagbanua, 47, of Sicklerville, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud before U.S. District Judge Noel L. Hillman. Judge Hillman imposed the sentence today in Camden federal court, ordering Tonagbanua to pay $232,643.92 in restitution.

Tonagbanua worked at the Haddonfield office of a firm specializing in toxic tort litigation from 2008 through April 9, 2012. During this time, he engaged in the wire fraud scheme, obtaining copies of legitimate asbestos complaints and fraudulently altering them by deleting a named defendant and inserting the name of one or more of his firm’s clients.

After notifying the firm’s clients of the suits, Tonagbanua and others at the firm undertook the representation of the clients, attending depositions, answering discovery, and even settling claims. The scheme resulted in the generation of more than $1 million in fraudulent fees, costs, and settlements, with Tonagbanua personally benefiting through bonuses and increased compensation.

Tonagbanua must also serve three years of supervised release after his prison term. The investigation leading to today’s sentencing was credited to special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge William F. Sweeney, Jr. in Philadelphia.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Diana Carrig of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Camden. Defense counsel for Tonagbanua is Michael Miller Esq. of Turnersville, New Jersey.

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