BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - A Billings attorney who was disbarred last summer now faces federal wire fraud charges for keeping $65,500 that should have been distributed to the family of a man who was killed in a car crash.
The Billings Gazette reports (https://bit.ly/1OcfgRg ) Randy Scott Laedeke pleaded not guilty to two counts of wire fraud during his arraignment in U.S. District Court on Friday.
Laedeke was hired to represent a man who was killed in a 2005 car crash and won a $300,000 settlement.
Prosecutors say Laedeke deducted $184,600 for his fee and legal expenses, leaving $115,000 to distribute among the man’s heirs. Prosecutors say he dispersed nearly $50,000 to the victim’s wife, but used the remaining $65,500 for personal expenses.
In issuing the disbarment, the Montana Supreme Court ordered Laedeke to pay $65,500 in restitution.
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Information from: The Billings Gazette, https://www.billingsgazette.com
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