Federal judge sentences disbarred Columbus attorney who pilfered clients' money

A disbarred Columbus personal injury attorney accused of stealing clients’ settlement money was sentenced to prison and ordered to pay $1.6 million in restitution Tuesday.

U.S. District Court Judge Clay Land sentenced George W. Snipes, 68, to serve 51 months in prison and repay the money he took from two clients in a personal injury case, totaling $1,638,000, authorities said.

Snipes pleaded guilty June 23 to mail fraud, with the charge alleging Snipes mailed a Sept. 18, 2017, letter demanding the USAA Insurance Company send him settlement checks totaling $48,000 for two clients injured in an automobile accident. Neither client saw or signed the checks, and Snipes “converted the funds to his own personal use,” according to the plea document.

Other clients have alleged Snipes stole from them as well. Before federal agents began their investigation into Snipes’ conduct, Columbus police in 2018 charged him under state law with 18 counts of theft involving nine former clients, who together claimed Snipes stole more than $1.2 million from them.

Read more: https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/crime/article255128007.html#storylink=mainstage_card5
(Columbus Ledger-Enquirer)