SARASOTA, Fla. — An attorney in Sarasota is facing grand theft charges after detectives discovered that he stole more than $215,000 from his clients.
Officials say, Jordan Wallach, 63, embezzled at least $215,353.39 of client funds between December 2014 and August 2017 while practicing as a divorce and family attorney.
The investigation started in September 2017 when one of his clients tried to cash a life insurance check from his firm — but it bounced due to insufficient funds.
An emergency petition was ordered the next month instructing Wallach to replace the funds. He didn't and all of his accounts were frozen.
Detectives spoke to several of his victims who all said when they tried to get money back from Wallach, he failed to return it.
Tiffany Scott said she trusted Wallach with her family fortune.
"He needs to pay for what he did," said Scott.
It was later determined that he had been writing checks off the record then transferring the money to his accounts, according to authorities.
Detective tried to talk to Wallach about the allegations against him in February 2018 — he refused.
All of the evidence against him was sent to the State Attorney's Office. He was arrested on Thursday, June 21 at his home.
He is currently being held on $200,000 bond at the Sarasota County Jail.
Sarasota Police Detectives are worried there may be additional victims. If you think you may have been a victim of Jordan Wallach, you're encouraged to contact Sarasota Police Detective Ross Revill at 941-954-7092.
Wallach was disbarred in January 2018 for causing great public harm based on his misappropriation of client funds.
