The Massachusetts Attorney General's Office announced a significant legal victory as disbarred attorney Andrew Piltser Cowan of Somerville pleaded guilty to charges of fiduciary embezzlement. Sentenced in Suffolk Superior Court, the 42-year-old former lawyer received a 2.5-year suspended sentence and a three-year probation period during which he must undergo a mental health evaluation and follow any recommended treatment. He is also prohibited from managing finances for others. However, the absence of immediate jail time has sparked controversy given the scale of Piltser Cowan's criminal actions. He has also been ordered to pay $917,988 in restitution to the victims of his embezzlement scheme.
Admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 2008 and having established his law firm, PiltserCowan Law, LLC a decade later, Piltser Cowan was appointed as a trustee to three trust accounts but began siphoning funds in 2019, leading to substantial financial loss for the beneficiaries. These funds were intended for critical life milestones such as higher education endeavors, inheritances, and long-term financial security, as reported by the Office of the Attorney General.
After a thorough investigation, the AG's White Collar and Public Integrity Division found that Piltser Cowan, who was disbarred in October 2023, had embezzled approximately $945,000 from trust accounts. He used the misappropriated funds to keep his struggling law firm afloat and cover personal expenses. These actions were deemed a serious breach of trust and a flagrant disregard for the legal and ethical standards expected of his position.
Deputy Chief Elizabeth Burke of the AGO’s White Collar and Public Integrity Division led the case, emphasizing the Division’s commitment to holding public servants and individuals in positions of trust accountable for their actions, particularly when their conduct undermines public confidence in trusted institutions and the integrity of the legal profession.
