Tennessee attorney pleads guilty to defrauding clients
Published 11:51 am Friday, June 5, 2020
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MEMPHIS (AP) — A Tennessee attorney faces up to 30 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to stealing more than $600,000 from clients by settling cases without telling them and forging their signatures on settlement checks.
The U.S. attorney’s office in Memphis said 50-year-old Michael Skouteris has pleaded guilty to bank fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud clients.
Prosecutors said Skouteris defrauded clients in cases dating from 2011 to 2016. Prosecutors have said the cases involved nursing home neglect, medical malpractice, personal injury and worker’s compensation.
Prosecutors said Skouteris forged endorsements on settlement checks made jointly payable to him and the client. He then deposited the checks into his bank accounts.
Sentencing is set for Sept. 24, the U.S. attorney’s office said Tuesday.
