Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

By Edward Fitzpatrick
Journal staff writer

A Cranston lawyer who handles real estate closings has been disbarred, the state's chief disciplinary counsel said today, after admitting to stealing more than $2.5 million from homeowners who were refinancing or buying new homes.

The Rhode Island Supreme Court disbarred Pasquale A. Scavitti III on Wednesday, less than half an hour after his lawyer acknowledged that Scavitti had stolen money from a total of 12 homeowners -- in amounts ranging from $80,341 to $490,290, according to David D. Curtin, the court's chief disciplinary counsel.

Scavitti's lawyer, Sean P. Feeney, indicated the money was gone but offered no explanation of where it went, Curtin said. "It's a lot of money," said Curtin, a 17-year veteran of the disciplinary counsel's office. "This is the largest theft by a lawyer I've ever seen."

Curtin said he immediately notified the State Police and the Attorney General's Office of the situation. Scavitti had not been charged with a crime as of this report.

Feeney confirmed Curtin's account this afternoon, adding, "My client is extremely remorseful for what will be inconvenience and what some of his former clients will need to deal with."

What happened to the money and why was it taken? "I think it's too early to comment on that," Feeney said.

Feeney's law partner and wife, Eva-Marie Mancuso, said, "My client has been cooperating with the disciplinary counsel and now will cooperate with the Rhode Island State Police when the time is appropriate."

 Tags  Cranston

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