Crime & Safety
Former NK Lawyer Charged with Stealing $40,000 in Client Funds
A North Kingstown lawyer disbarred in 2013 for ethics violations is now facing criminal charges of misappropriating client funds.
The Rhode Island State Police today charged a North Kingstown lawyer who was disbarred in 2013 with unlawful appropriation for allegedly stealing $40,000 in client funds.
Police said James Currier, 65, of 105 Jerry Lane, North Kingstown, represented a man who suffered water damage to his home and took the settlement check from Allstate Insurance, deposited it into his account and used the money for personal use.
Police said Currier was disbarred in 2013 after a disciplinary board ruled he violated conduct standards when he failed to deliver the money to his client and co-mingled money from client funds into his own.
Currier was arraigned in Providence County Superior Court before General Magistrate Patricia L. Harwood.
He was released on $15,000 personal recognizance and is due to appear in court on June 5 for a pretrial conference.
If convicted, Currier could face up to 20 years in prison and upwards of a $50,000 fine.
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