LA attorney pleads guilty to stealing from the dead, the living

Former attorney pleads guilty
Matthew Hamilton
March 2, 2010
The News-Star (LA)
http://www.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20103020320
A former Monroe attorney accused of stealing thousand of dollars from his clients pleaded guilty Monday in 4th Judicial District Court.

Bernard Grenrood, 72, pleaded guilty to 6 counts of theft in excess of $500. Under Louisiana law, theft in excess of $500 carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years or a maximum fine of $2,000 or both.

Grenrood was accused of stealing part of a family’s inheritance in the wake of their father’s death in 2003.

Jerry Cathey claimed Grenrood had his father’s life insurance checks, designated for children and grandchildren, made out to himself and transferred about $32,000 in the father’s checking account to his own trust account. When family members asked him about the checks, Grenwood claimed the checks were stolen.

Jerry Cathey later filed a suit against Grenrood and claimed Grenrood also forged his name on a power of attorney contract.

In a second suit from 2004, Donna Thornton claimed Grenrood failed to pay her the all of her settlement money, about $10,000.

In a third suit, Millie Biddleman said she secured $20,000 in insurance money from a 2002 one-vehicle wreck, but never received the full amount promised. She claimed Grenrood forged her name on checks.

In October 2004, the Louisiana Supreme Court granted Grenrood’s request to resign from practicing law without disciplinary action, but forbade him from practicing law in the state ever again.

Sentencing is May 24.

Charles Kincade, defense attorney, said his client plans to make restitutions. “Mr. Grenrood is a good man who made a mistake,” Kincade said. “He has accepted responsibility and intends to do everything within his power to rectify the situation.”