NY Lawyer Who Admitted Ripping Off His Clients for Millions Wants Them to Pay His Fees
Vesselin Mitev
March 5, 2010
New York Law Journal
http://nylj.com/nylawyer/news/10/03/030510j.html
Steven T. Rondos, the former Brooklyn attorney who admitted to stealing millions of dollars from guardianship accounts he oversaw, is fighting to be paid for work he claims he did on behalf of the incapacitated people he was charged with fleecing.

Mr. Rondos, who is in jail awaiting sentencing for the thefts, contends he owes $1.2 million in restitution while prosecutors are seeking nearly $2.7 million. At a restitution hearing on Wednesday, Mr. Rondos testified that he had fulfilled his obligations as a guardian with regard to the “personal needs and day-to-day expenses” of his wards. Mr. Rondos told the court he is owed at least $35,000 for work he performed on a dozen accounts before he was charged with money laundering and grand larceny.

Mr. Rondos, who has since been disbarred and faces between six and 18 years as a result of his plea, told Acting Supreme Court Justice Ronald A. Zweibel in Manhattan that his outstanding legal fees would go to repay the victims of his thefts. He said he hoped he could pay off the balance once he served his sentence and begins working again.

“I am asking the court, for the work that I have done, to credit me for that amount,” Mr. Rondos said.

The hearing resumes Monday. Mr. Rondos’ former Brooklyn firm, Raia & Rondos, was also charged in the thefts. Trial in that case starts April 12.