Ex-lawyer who bilked relatives of $1.3M gets prison sentence

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A former Indiana attorney who pleaded guilty to bilking relatives out of more than $1.3 million has been sentenced to 2 ½ years in prison.

A Jefferson County judge sentenced 67-year-old John C. Eckert last week to 10 years but suspended seven years and six months. Eckert had pleaded guilty to 12 felony counts of forgery and one felony theft count.

The Madison Courier reports Eckert's plea requires him to pay more than $1.38 million in restitution to his brother, Thomas Eckert, who's a physician.

Thomas Eckert told the court his brother is a "predator" and a "parasite" who targeted his own family and has never displayed any remorse.

The money was stolen through estates and trusts the former attorney set up and served as a co-trustee.

Eckert resigned from the bar in June 2013.


 

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