Man Sentenced to Prison for Defrauding BigLaw Firms
A North Carolina man, Omoyoma Christopher Okoro, has been sentenced to prison for his involvement in an attorney-fraud scheme that defrauded multiple victims, including four BigLaw firms. The scheme resulted in Okoro being ordered to pay more than $22.5 million in restitution to 73 victims.
Okoro, 50, was sentenced to 100 months in prison and five years of supervised release on September 19, following his conviction for conspiracy to commit mail, wire, and bank fraud, mail fraud affecting a financial institution, wire fraud affecting a financial institution, and bank fraud. The U.S. Department of Justice reported that Okoro was the fifth person prosecuted in the scheme in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
The fraud, which occurred between 2006 and 2010, involved Okoro and his accomplices contacting attorneys under the guise of being owed money in various business transactions, disputes, or accidents. Once the attorneys agreed to represent the supposed clients, they were informed that the matter had been settled. Subsequently, a check would be sent to the attorney with instructions to deposit it and send the remaining amount, minus attorney fees, to a foreign bank account. The scheme unraveled when the attorneys realized the checks were counterfeit after wiring the money abroad.
Among the victims of this scheme were prominent law firms such as Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, Pepper Hamilton, and Ropes & Gray. These firms collectively suffered losses amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars. The restitution amounts for each firm were detailed in the judgment accompanying the sentencing.
Other Defendants in the Scheme
Aside from Okoro, other individuals involved in the attorney-fraud scheme included Henry Okpalefe, who was convicted in March 2017, and Okoro’s brother, Omoefe Okoro. Omoefe’s charges were dismissed due to a speedy-trial violation. The scheme’s elaborate nature and the significant financial losses incurred by the victims underscore the seriousness of white-collar crimes and the need for robust enforcement measures.
Impact on Legal Community
The repercussions of Okoro’s actions extend beyond the financial losses suffered by the defrauded law firms. The case serves as a cautionary tale for legal professionals about the importance of verifying the authenticity of financial transactions and clients, especially in cases involving substantial sums of money. The trust between attorneys and clients is a cornerstone of the legal profession, and incidents like this can erode that trust, tarnishing the reputation of the legal community as a whole.
In conclusion, the sentencing of Omoyoma Christopher Okoro for his role in defrauding BigLaw firms highlights the need for vigilance and due diligence in financial transactions within the legal industry. The case underscores the prevalence of white-collar crimes and the importance of robust enforcement to protect both victims and the integrity of the legal profession.
