Disbarred Columbus attorney accused of stealing over $1M from clients pleads in federal court

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer (GA)

Jun. 23—A disbarred Columbus attorney accused of stealing insurance settlements from his clients pleaded guilty to a federal charge Wednesday in U.S. District Court.

George William "Bill" Snipes pleaded to mail fraud before Judge Clay Land.

Federal authorities assumed the investigation into Snipes after 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.

Clients, in complaints to the state bar, alleged Snipes settled cases involving automobile accidents without telling them, forged their signatures on settlement documents, and had the settlement checks sent to him, for his own use.

In federal court Wednesday, Snipes pleaded guilty to mailing 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.

The document cited other instances in which Snipes defrauded clients out of settlements, in amounts ranging up to $450,000. He was ordered to pay more than $1.6 million in restitution.

Doing business as "G. William Snipes, Attorney at Law," Snipes had what's called a "defendant's interest on lawyers trust account" where settlements were deposited to accrue interest before being paid out to clients. Snipes had an account that showed unauthorized distributions to himself, his business rental company, storage facilities and parent-teacher associations, according to his plea.

Cash withdrawals from that account totaled $468,750, and $167,600 in checks were written directly to Snipes, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Melvin Hyde.

Judge Land set Snipes' sentencing for 10:30 a.m. Oct. 19. Now 68 years old, Snipes is facing up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He will remain free on an unsecured bond of $10,000, said Land, who ordered him to remain in the United States as he awaits sentencing.

Snipes was represented by defense attorney Jerry Froelich, who also served as Snipes' counsel when Snipes was arrested on state charges, before federal agents took on the investigation.

Earlier charges

Columbus police financial crimes detectives started investigating Snipes in January 2018, and got warrants for his arrest the following April. Snipes did not surrender until late May.

"You stole all my mama's money," a woman declared during Snipes' bond hearing in Columbus Recorder's Court on May 30, 2018. "You can do whatever you want to me!" she shouted as deputies escorted her from the courtroom.

Several victims or their family attended the hearing, and some yelled at Snipes' attorney outside.

The Georgia Supreme Court disbarred Snipes on June 4, 2018, for violating rules of professional conduct by exceeding his authority, failing to act with reasonable diligence and collecting fees without accounting to his clients. Snipes did not contest the disbarment.

Snipes had his own law practice since January 2012, at a 1300 Wynnton Road suite. He earlier was in a firm with two brothers.

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