Book Fmr. Kew Gdns. Barrister For Larceny
A Kew Gardens attorney who was suspended in 2011 from the practice of law has been arraigned on a nine-count indictment in which he is charged with stealing approximately $206,000 from five clients, it was announced.
Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown identified the defendant as Percy Randall, 58, who prior to his arrest had resided on Hazelwood Drive, in Westbury, L.I., and practiced law at 123-20 82nd Ave. in Kew Gardens until his suspension on Dec. 20, 2011.
Randall was arraigned on Mar. 14 before Acting Queens Supreme Court Justice Barry Kron on a nine-count indictment charging him with second- and third-degree grand larceny and practicing law after being disbarred, suspended, or convicted of a felony. Randall, who faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted, was ordered held without bail and to return to court on May 20.
“Despite his suspension, [Randall] allegedly continued to practice law and represent himself as a licensed attorney and thereby break the law,” Brown said. “His alleged conduct was not only reprehensible but also a profound betrayal of trust that warrants vigorous prosecution.”
Between May 2011 and October 2012, it is alleged, Randall stole approximately $206,000 in amounts ranging from $6,000 to $138,000 from five different individuals who had hired him to represent them in separate real estate matters involving the purchase or sale of homes and, in one case, in a divorce.
The investigation was conducted by Detective Investigator Kevin J. Kehoe of the District Attorney’s Detective Bureau, under the supervision of Sgt. Evelyn MacDougall and Lt. Robert J. Burke, and the overall supervision of Chief Investigator Lawrence J. Festa and Deputy Chief Investigator Franco Russo.
Assistant District Attorney Christine Oliveri of the District Attorney’s Integrity Bureau is prosecuting the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys James M. Liander, bureau chief, and Carmencita N. Gutierrez, deputy bureau chief, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Investigations Peter A. Crusco and Deputy Executive Assistant District Attorney for Investigations Linda M. Cantoni.
It was noted that an indictment is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
