Santa Rosa attorneys Robert Anderson and Scott Steever are behind bars, charged with stealing from a client. According to a federal indictment, the duo, who were partners at the law firm Lanahan Steever and Anderson LLP (LSA), spent money held in a trust account for a client, identified as B.M., on expenses unrelated to their representation.
Anderson and Steever allegedly spent approximately $300,000 given to LSA by B.M. in November 2009 to be held in trust on her behalf. By April 2010, all of the funds held on behalf of B.M. had been spent.
Anderson and Steever were arraigned on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering and money laundering. Anderson voluntarily surrendered and made his initial appearance today in federal court in San Francisco, while Steever was arrested and made his initial appearance yesterday.
Both defendants were released on a $100,000 bond. They are scheduled for an initial appearance before the Honorable Edward M. Chen, U.S. District Court Judge, on February 4, 2015.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The maximum statutory penalty for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud is 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, and restitution. The maximum statutory penalty for conspiracy to commit money laundering and money laundering is 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
Denise Marie Barton is the Assistant U.S. Attorney prosecuting the case with the assistance of Denise Oki and Trina Khadoo. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation.
Related Federal Cases
- Mark Roy Anderson, Wire Fraud, California 2023 · Illinois
- Robert Allen Pooley, Wire Fraud, California 2024 · California
- Amadou Kane Diallo, Wire Fraud, California 2023 · Illinois
- Jeffrey Harrington, Wire Fraud Conspiracy, California 2024 · North Carolina
- Bryan D’Antonio, Conspiracy to Commit Mail and Wire Fraud, California 2009 · Georgia
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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