Harris Roy Rosen, Stealing Estate Funds, Pennsylvania 2020

Philadelphia attorney Harris Roy Rosen stole estate funds from clients, defrauding them of $796,000, in a complex scheme that lasted from 2013 through 2017. Rosen, 65, of Sag Harbor, New York, pleaded guilty to wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and tax evasion before United States District Court Judge Wendy Beetlestone.

The scam involved Rosen lying to clients about the status of their funds, forging their names on settlement checks to deposit them into his personal bank accounts, and creating fake bank statements to lull clients into believing their settlement or estate funds were in appropriate bank accounts waiting to be disbursed. Many clients did not receive their rightful settlement or estate funds as a result of Rosen's actions.

Rosen's scheme also included intentionally failing to file tax returns to avoid reporting his illicit income. His evasion of federal taxes resulted in a criminal tax due and owing to the Internal Revenue Service of approximately $261,000.

“Attorneys work in positions of trust and therefore must be held to the highest standards of ethical conduct,” said U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain. “In this case, Rosen took advantage of his clients and swindled them in order to bankroll his lifestyle. That is reprehensible.”

Rosen's lavish lifestyle was funded by the stolen estate funds, which included the purchase of homes in Philadelphia and the Hamptons, NY, as well as a Mercedes-Benz vehicle. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigative Division, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley S. Bonney.

The case highlights the importance of holding individuals in positions of trust accountable for their actions. Rosen's actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for the law and a complete lack of regard for the well-being of his clients.

Rosen's plea agreement includes a sentence, but the specifics of his punishment have yet to be revealed. The exact date of his plea agreement is not specified in the source material, but the case against him is ongoing.

The case began in February 2020, when Rosen was charged by Information with wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and tax evasion. The charges against him stem from a scheme to steal funds from his clients, which lasted from 2013 through 2017.

The investigation into Rosen's activities was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigative Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley S. Bonney.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/former-philadelphia-attorney-pleads-guilty-stealing-estate-funds-clients