Calvin Curtis had credit score cards with put together boundaries of a lot more than $92,000. Now, he just can’t demand a lot more than $2K.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Estate attorney Calvin Curtis, who pleaded responsible to federal fees of wire fraud and money laundering previously this thirty day period, has been ordered to straight away resign as a trustee, wrap up his law follow inside of 30 days and convey to all of his present customers that he’s a convicted felon, his lawyer claimed.
A Salt Lake City lawyer who pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud and funds laundering prices in November has been purchased to instantly resign as a trustee, wrap up his legislation follow inside of 30 days and convey to all of his current purchasers that he’s a convicted felon, his attorney claimed Tuesday.
Calvin Curtis, 61, also has been confined to the use of a person credit rating card, which must have a limit of $2,000 or less. He isn’t authorized to open any new strains of credit history.
The new needs have been proven through a Friday courtroom hearing relating to a movement submitted by prosecutors very last 7 days.
U.S. lawyers had asked for that Curtis be expected to halt working up his credit score card balances and promptly stop his do the job as an legal professional. But the judge authorized Curtis to take a “wind-down period” of 30 times in order to wrap up his law follow, as very long as he does not get on any new shoppers, mentioned his lawyer, Greg Skordas. Curtis also can no for a longer time serve as a trustee or act as a fiduciary.
Right after closing his legislation follow, Curtis will be essential to uncover total-time employment that does not include authorized get the job done, in accordance to Skordas.
The Office of Justice has accused Curtis of embezzling at minimum $9.5 million from clients of his estate-scheduling firm — lots of of whom have been vulnerable in some way — then applying the cash to fund a “lavish lifestyle.” In all, federal prosecutors accused Curtis of fraudulently diverting money from at the very least 22 trusts due to the fact 2008.
Curtis is currently on release pending his sentencing in March, because a choose determined that he was not likely to flee and doesn’t pose a risk to everyone.
In accordance to the prosecutors’ movement, problems of Curtis’ launch claimed he could not incur new credit score fees or open new traces of credit history. Curtis had argued that he’s allowed to use his cards inside of present credit restrictions.
Curtis had planned to use his credit cards to pay back various expenditures for his girlfriend, such as her $5,995 rent in Florida, her relocating fees of $3,000 and a stability deposit and one month’s rent in her new home, documents state. He also stated he was at the rear of on numerous bills, together with boy or girl assistance.
Curtis experienced “numerous” credit cards, the motion stated, including 1 with a $30,000 limit, just one with a $27,500 limit, and a person with a $35,000 limit.
“It is an affront to justice to allow Mr. Curtis to spend yet another person’s (blended) $8,995 hire and transferring charges when victims are literally out hundreds of thousands of pounds,” the U.S. lawyers explained in the motion.
In light-weight of Curtis’ prison circumstance, the Utah Condition Bar filed a petition on Dec. 1 to disbar him, court files present. The Workplace of Professional Conduct also filed a motion to have Curtis quickly put on interim suspension from the follow of law, indicating his responsible pleas “reflect adversely on his honesty, trustworthiness, and health as a law firm,” documents state.
On Tuesday, Skordas mentioned he and Curtis prepare to agree to the petition, but with the being familiar with that Curtis be authorized to wind down his law apply.
Curtis has also offered his mansion on South Temple, which prosecutors alleged that he renovated with millions of bucks in embezzled money. Skordas predicted that Curtis will get about $1,250,000 for the house, and that all proceeds will go towards the restitution he have to pay to victims.
In all, Curtis will likely finish up paying about $15 million in restitution, Skordas reported.