MINEOLA, N.Y. – Acting District Attorney Madeline Singas announced the arrest and arraignment of a man for stealing money from one of this clients in a criminal case, and urged any other victims of this Hempstead-based attorney to file a complaint with her office.
Frank Adipietro, 51, formerly of Long Beach, was arrested today by DA investigators and arraigned before Nassau District Court Judge Tricia Ferrell on the charge of Grand Larceny in the 3rd Degree (a D felony). Judge Ferrell released the defendant on his own recognizance. If convicted, Adipietro faces a maximum sentence of 2-1/3 to seven years in prison. He is due back in court on March 12.
“Every defendant deserves honest and ethical representation from the attorney entrusted to represent them in a court of a law,” Acting DA Singas said. “That’s why I am urging anyone who believes they have been a victim of an unscrupulous attorney to come forward and report these crimes to my office. The public’s help is crucial in our efforts to hold attorneys accountable for taking advantage of their clients.”
Acting DA Singas said that in February 2013, Adipietro was paid $7,500 by a client to cover a civil forfeiture in a criminal gambling case as part of a plea negotiated with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office. Shortly after that time, communications between Adipietro and his client became sporadic, causing his client to question his representation of him.
In March 2014, the client met with Adipietro, at which time the attorney admitted receiving the money for the civil forfeiture and gave the client a receipt for the funds.
Through an attorney representing him on another matter, Adipietro’s client discovered that the Suffolk DA’s plea agreement did not include a civil forfeiture of $7,500.
Adipietro has not returned the funds to his former client, or offered an explanation of what he did with the money. An investigation by the DA’s office subsequently revealed that Adipietro no longer practices law at his office, located at 100 Main Street in Hempstead. The defendant currently lives in Monroe in upstate Orange County.
Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of a crime is encouraged to call Acting DA Singas’ Tip Line at (516) 571-7755.
Assistant District Attorney Victoria Curran of Acting DA Singas’ Government and Consumer Frauds Bureau is prosecuting the case. Adipietro is represented by Scott Carrigan, Esq.
The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.