$314K in Legal Theft Repaid to Clients as NJ Lawyers’ Fund Hits $100M Milestone

Eleven lawyers found responsible for misappropriating client funds; third-quarter payments span cases of unearned retainers, real estate fraud, and injury settlements.

Between July and September 2025, the New Jersey Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection (LFCP) approved $314,108.39 in reimbursements to clients harmed by dishonest conduct by 11 attorneys across the state. The third-quarter payments bring the Fund’s lifetime disbursements to over $100 million, aiding nearly 5,000 claimants since its inception.

Eight of the 11 claims this quarter involved the dishonest retention of unearned retainers—a scenario in which attorneys accepted legal fees but failed to perform the promised work. The remaining claims stemmed from the misappropriation of funds tied to real estate transactions, trust accounts, and a personal injury settlement.

Largest Claim: $189,000 Theft via Forged Mortgage Settlement

The most significant case this quarter involved attorney Ronaldo C. George of New Brunswick, who was disbarred by consent on July 8, 2024. According to the Fund’s findings, George used forged documents to falsely assure clients that a mortgage settlement had been secured. He then directed them to wire $189,000—not to an attorney trust account, but to his wife’s personal bank account. The Fund’s Trustees confirmed the theft and approved the full reimbursement to the affected clients.

Overview of Claims and Attorney Status

The 11 claims approved this quarter involved attorneys from various parts of New Jersey. Below are notable findings from the Fund’s report:

• Nabil Nadim Kassem (Little Falls): Disbarred in November 2024 for misappropriating personal injury settlement funds. Three claims were approved against him for a total of $46,162.91.

• John Charles Allen (New Brunswick): Disbarred in June 2024. Eight claims were paid related to unearned retainers for a total of $60,125.

• Brittany L. Parisi (Matawan): Suspended earlier in 2025. Eight claims were paid related to unearned retainers for a total of $50,445.

• Frances Ann Hartman (Moorestown): Suspended in March 2025. Two claims were paid involving unearned retainer claims for a total of $12,580.

• Santo V. Artusa Jr. (Jersey City): Suspended in January 2025 for the dishonest retention of unearned retainers. Fourteen claims were paid for a total of $57,125.

• Thomas J. Wall (North Bergen): Passed away in April of 2024. Three claims were paid related to dishonest retention of unearned retainers and misappropriation of deposit monies/real estate transactions for a total of $39,950.

• Michael A. Gorokhovich (Blackwood), Virginia S. Ryan (Livingston), Edward G. D'Alessando Jr. (Florham Park), Ronaldo C. George (New Brunswick), and John Winston King Jr. (Newark): All had first-time claims paid this quarter, related to unearned retainers or misappropriation of settlement or trust monies/Real Estate.

The disciplinary statuses of the involved attorneys included suspension, disbarment, and in three cases, posthumous proceedings, where claims were honored after the attorneys’ deaths.

Fund Background and Impact

The Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection was established by the New Jersey State Bar Association in 1961 and expanded under the authority of the New Jersey Supreme Court in 1969. It operates using mandatory contributions from all practicing attorneys in the state. With 99,577 active attorneys, the Fund underscores that only about 0.5% have been the subject of reimbursable claims.

This quarter's disbursements mark a major milestone: the Fund has now awarded over $100 million across 4,970 claims involving 916 attorneys. Of this amount, more than $27 million has been recovered through repayment efforts.

Eligibility and Filing

To qualify for compensation, claimants must demonstrate that the attorney was acting in a legal or fiduciary capacity and was disbarred, suspended, convicted of embezzlement, or otherwise formally disciplined at the time of the incident. Claims involving malpractice, negligence, or fee disputes are not eligible.

• Maximum award per claim: $400,000

• Maximum claims per attorney: $1.5 million (subject to increase by the Supreme Court)

Claimants may apply for compensation at njcourts.gov/public/get-help/lfcp, by calling 855-533-FUND (3863), or by writing to the Fund at the Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex in Trenton. There is no filing fee, and any attorney assistance provided to claimants is free of charge.

The Fund encourages victims of attorney theft to seek compensation and learn more about their rights under Court Rule 1:28, which governs the program’s jurisdiction and processes.