A former Belleville attorney is on the hot seat after a federal grand jury slapped him with an eleven-count indictment for wire fraud. Jason R. Caraway, age 49, allegedly embezzled over a whopping $1 million from his law firm and its clients. If convicted, the charges could see Caraway looking at up to 20 years in the slammer and fines of up to $250,000 for each count, raising the stakes to a level as high as the crimes he's accused of committing.
U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe didn't hesitate to point out the ethical breaches, stating, "Attorneys have a duty to protect their clients’ interests and must to be held to the highest ethical standard." She continued to assert in an announcement that those who "are overcome by greed and use their professional positions to embezzle from their employers and steal from innocent people will answer to the rule of law."
Caraway, who was a partner at the personal injury firm Caraway, Fisher & Broombaugh, P.C., is accused of playing with fire by siphoning off client funds to bankroll his personal and business expenses. This laundry list of alleged misdeeds includes issuing himself checks, quietly accepting settlements without notifying the clients or handing over the dough, failing to pay medical lienholders from settlement proceeds, and misapplying retainers with no authorization in sight.
FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge David Nanz underscored the severity of the breach of trust, saying, "A lawyer, as an officer of the legal system, should demonstrate respect for our laws and protect the interests of the clients he represents." Nanz did not pull punches, stating flatly that when a lawyer decides to enrich himself by stealing client funds, the FBI will ensure to hold him accountable. The indictment goes deeper to detail 11 situations where Caraway is alleged to have crossed the line, including forging the signatures of two St. Clair County judges on phony court documents to further his scheme.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Steve Weinhoeft will spearhead the prosecution, ensuring this case sees its day in court with all its teeth barred.
