Disbarred Austin lawyer Terry Erwin Stork has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for a pattern of stealing from elderly clients after their deaths. Among Stork’s many and colorful misdeeds:
The records said Stork lived in the home of a deceased client from 1987 to 2002 and deposited money from the sale of the home into his own bank account.
In another case, he was accused of letting the home of a client sit empty, driving the woman’s Buick LeSabre to disrepair and using her money to add to his rare china collection. He was also accused of failing to pass along inheritances to people and organizations that were supposed to get them.
Prosecutors at a sentencing hearing cited evidence “that Stork has continued practicing law since his arrest by using the identity of his brother, who is also a lawyer”. (Tony Plohetski, Austin American-Statesman, Sept. 23; Estate of Denial (“Shining Light on the Dark Side of Estate Management”), Sept. 12; ABA Journal, Jun. 30). Earlier: Jul. 3.
2 Comments
I’m curious how it could have taken so long for this guy to get caught. You’d think that the heirs would notice. And don’t probate courts exercise some supervision over the disposition of estates?
Bill, probate courts have no enforcement authority. Also, in all the cases where Stork pilfered assets, there were no children or grandchildren, only nieces, nephews and cousins. I dont know what my aunts, uncles and cousins own.