Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Rhode Island Supreme Court has disbarred lawyer Todd M. Amaral for converting clients' money to his own use, lying about what he did with the money and forging a client's name to two settlement checks he received for her in connection with an employment discrimination complaint.

The court said that "it is of no import that he has not yet been charged with a crime in this matter." Disbarment was warranted because Amaral had wrongfully taken client funds which "is tantamount to embezzlement" and "may have committed the crime of forgery as well."

The high court said: "We find nothing in the record or the respondent's representations to the [disciplinary] board or this court that explains or excuses his misconduct."

In addition to being a lawyer, Amaral is also employed as a Rhode Island correctional officer. He'd been a member of the bar since 2000 and had a law office at 125 Providence St., West Warwick.

According to the court's disbarment order, which was made public Friday, Amaral has repaid the two former clients who brought the ethics complaints against him, minus agreed-upon attorney's fees and costs associated with handling their cases. But Amaral did not reimburse them until after the court's disciplinary counsel began its investigation of their claims.

The court chided Amaral for making false representations to its chief disciplinary counsel, David D. Curtin, who investigated the client complaints. Amaral lied, the court said, to try to conceal what he had done.

The complainants were Makeda Benain, formerly of Rhode Island, and a Connecticut woman, Kim Virgilli.

 Tags  Rhode Island Supreme Court West Warwick RI

Comments

the judge said:

there will be others. that have been bad boys and girls

Link | October 31, 2009 6:19 AM
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Huh? said:

"In addition to being a lawyer, Amaral is also employed as a Rhode Island correctional officer."

Yet ANOTHER state worker?!?!?!

Link | October 31, 2009 7:24 AM
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themick said:

everyone should take a long look at themselves before they get to excited about someone else's suffering.we all fall short of the glory of god and we shouldn't be so quick to judge.

Link | November 2, 2009 11:41 AM
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State Employee said:

Being a state worker has nothing to do with his law business. To compare the 2 is ignorant

Link | November 6, 2009 10:55 AM
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