Photo: Erce/Shutterstock/Shutterstock Disbarment for Texas Lawyer Who Took Client's Food Stamps, Faked Signature on Handwritten Contract
The Austin lawyer's disbarment by a grievance committee is a cautionary tale about the harsh consequences when attorneys mishandle client funds.
July 01, 2021 at 02:22 PM
4 minute read
An Austin criminal-defense attorney was disbarred recently for taking $1,450 from her client's debit card and $170 from his food stamps.
The client was in jail and hired Christina Pagano to secure his release. He gave her PIN to his debit and food stamp accounts, and she took the money as an advance fee for legal services, said the State Bar of Texas attorney discipline list for July.
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