Albert Hessberg III, Client Theft, New York 2024

ALBANY, NEW YORK – A shocking case of lawyer theft has come to light in the Empire State. Albert Hessberg III, a 63-year-old attorney from Slingerlands, New York, has been charged with defrauding his clients and former law firm.

Hessberg, who worked for 37 years in the Albany office of Barclay Damon LLP, is accused of stealing and concealing the theft of at least $328,000 entrusted to him by clients. The law firm terminated Hessberg for cause in March 2018.

According to the charges, Hessberg also diverted payments for legal services that should have been made to Barclay Damon to himself. The FBI is investigating the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett will be prosecuting.

Hessberg appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel, who ordered him released with conditions pending further proceedings. If convicted, Hessberg faces up to 20 years in prison, a maximum $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of post-imprisonment supervised release.

The charges against Hessberg are merely accusations, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The case is a stark reminder of the importance of due diligence when choosing an attorney and the consequences of betraying the trust of clients.

U.S. Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Janelle M. Miller, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced the charges against Hessberg.

The case is a disturbing example of the white-collar crimes that can occur in the legal profession. It highlights the need for greater accountability and oversight in the industry to prevent similar cases from happening in the future.

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