A seasoned Boston attorney is facing severe criminal charges for defrauding clients, including siphoning off more than $2 million that was intended to be securely held in escrow, according to a recent release by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Patrick J. Dolan, the 60-year-old lawyer from North Attleboro and Haverhill, has been hit with four counts of wire fraud, with a potential 20-year prison sentence looming overhead should he be convicted.
Records indicate that between November 2018 and November 2024, Patrick J. Dolan allegedly engaged in fraudulent activities against his clients and other individuals who entrusted him with significant funds, including at least $87,500 from a supplemental needs trust intended to aid another client, and transferring these stolen funds to personal accounts, or utilizing them for expenses such as mortgage, tuition, and even a down payment on a property in Haverhill, where he lived with his family, this pattern of deceit seems to indicate a profound betrayal of the fiduciary trust clients placed in Dolan. He is accused of further misdeeds, such as falsifying bank statements and creating fabricated accounting records to cover his tracks and making false statements to his clients about the status of their stolen funds.
The serious charges brought against Dolan were announced by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristina E. Barclay of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions is in charge of prosecuting the case. Despite the weight of these allegations, it is important to remember, as noted in the original release, that these details remain allegations and Dolan is presumed innocent unless proven guilty by the courts.
The legal system is preparing to weigh the evidence carefully, however, Dolan's crimes portray a chilling disregard for the legal and ethical obligations that underpin the profession of law consequences for such actions could include up to 20 years behind bars, three years of supervised release, and a substantial $250,000 fine, these potential punishments reflect the gravity of the offense and the judicial system's commitment to holding such individuals accountable for their actions against those who place their trust in legal professionals.
