Monroe County attorney sentenced for counterfeiting

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Philip Chamberlain, a Clear Creek attorney accused of stealing from his clients, was sentenced to community service Tuesday by Monroe Circuit Judge Teresa Harper.

Chamberlain was arrested in 2008 on allegations of misconduct involving his clients and violations of the Indiana Securities Act.

According to the Office of the Indiana Secretary of State, a client of Chamberlain sought legal advice related to investing in rental properties. Chamberlain allegedly suggested his client loan Chamberlain and other people money for the development of a golf course and construction of a home in Lawrence County. Chamberlain never invested the money and was accused of stealing most of it. He allegedly forged an endorsement signature on one of the client’s checks and then deposited that check into his bank account.

He faced charges of Class C felonies fraudulent sale of securities, forgery, sale of unregistered securities and unregistered investment advisor, which were dismissed after he entered into a plea agreement in October 2012 to plead guilty to Class D felony counterfeiting.

Harper sentenced Chamberlain to 540 days in the Department of Correction, with all but time served suspended; completion of 120 days of community service; and to pay $166 in court costs. He will also be on probation until August 2014.

A hearing regarding restitution has been set for August 14.

Chamberlain has been a lawyer in Indiana since 1990 and has no history of discipline, according to the Roll of Attorneys.

 

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