[WSBARP] Everett Attorney Fraud

[Nestor Gorfinkel]

This “sticks in my craw” and is beyond offensive, when I hear about an attorney brazenly engaging in this behavior. I don’t understand why the Bar has not gone in and suspended her temporarily from doing further damage, until a full hearing.
In any event, I can’t provide much advice, but I do suggest that you contact the FBI or the US attorney’s office. Most likely there will be federal criminal violations, and acts such as mail fraud, etc.

Wishing all the best, in this terrible time for the victims.

Cordially,

Nestor Gorfinkel, Attorney at Law
Licensed in Florida & Washington State
Florida Civil-Law (International) Notary

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From: wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> On Behalf Of Former Client
Sent: Friday, September 2, 2022 3:03 AM
To: wsbarp at lists.wsbarppt.com
Subject: [WSBARP] Everett Attorney Fraud

Listers,

I come to the list knowing a good many of you will scoff at this, and may even defend your colleague, but this resource is too rich to not make an inquiry here.

Some time ago I started a group, now numbering 36 people, who have had significant sums of money stolen by an attorney working in and around the Everett area. Initially we were unware of the extent of this attorney's fraud, but recent court filings and an influx of members who have been dropped by her has shed light on how serious and ongoing this issue is.

It seems that for the last two and a half years this attorney has been on a cash-grabbing binge with her clients. She's done this by varying methods of lying to her current clients, in writing, but in many cases she's simply accepted a retainer and then ghosted the client. What I've lost is small in comparison to what some of her clients have said they've paid, I've spoken to several people who have paid in excess of $20k to her for little to no work, one woman took a second mortgage on her home to pay this attorneys increasing demands. Another paid a $7,500 retainer and hasn't heard a word from her since. Several former clients have called in tears because they feel so victimized and have no idea what to do, some from out of state. These amounts are definitely not worth any of you to take on a contingency, which leaves her clients to fork out, what, $20-40k or more to just get a judgement?

We've managed to do some investigative work ourselves, we found out this attorney has had her home in and out of foreclosure and has wage garnishments from other debt collectors. Recently we've seen court filings where other attorneys are starting to call out her behavior, lying to the court about not getting emails when she clearly takes action on their content, for example. And they're even starting to reference our victims group. Her former employees have said they will attest to many of these facts, and have alleged knowledge of PPP loan fraud and non-payment of payroll in the tens of thousands of dollars. Then there's the opulent spending spree this attorney has been on the last couple years, an expensive wedding (where she stiffed the vendors), luxury vehicles for herself, son, and new husband, trips...

Of course several of us have submitted grievances to the WSBA, who have dismissed at least one and seem ill-equipped or unwilling to take immediate action. Many other group members feel the process is a waste of time, which while incorrect is an understandable position given the results we've seen.

I believe this attorney knows she's going to be disbarred for this and simply doesn't care. What malpractice claims are brought against her may simply be paid by her insurance, and/or she'll just file bankruptcy for any judgments against her (she's already tried). She won't be able to practice law anymore but will have made off with what probably totals well into six figures of client's money, maybe $200k or more? It feels like we've just scratched the surface of people she's taken money from. This is repugnant, this attorney has stolen many thousands of dollars from dozens of people and that must be a crime, surely RCW 9A.56.030 at least.

Speaking to the WSBA about this their recommendation was to contact the local county sheriff, which I guess is the next move. Are there groups or attorneys that may be willing to help or work with us? I'm bracing for the sheriff to say "nah, this is a civil matter" but this attorney absolutely intended to and did commit fraud and she cannot be allowed to run off with these people's money. Any input is appreciated, thanks.

Concerned Client


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