An elder law attorney from Great Neck was sentenced last month to four-to-12 years in prison after she admitted to stealing more than $797,000 from a dozen clients over a four-year span.
Martha Brosius, 52, pleaded guilty to two counts of grand larceny and a charge of scheme to defraud in June before Justice Helene Gugerty at Nassau County court.
Queens prosecutors handled the case due to the fact that Brosius’ husband works for the Nassau County District Attorney’s office, which requested a special prosecutor to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.
Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said Brosius breeched her fiduciary duties and unjustly enriched herself at the expense of her clients.
Brosius was originally accused of stealing about $150,000 from four clients, but was later indicted on charges of stealing much more when additional victims were uncovered, the Press has reported.
Her victims included a 77-year-old man deemed incapacitated and two brothers who hired Brosius to handle their father’s estate and sell his residence in order to set up a trust for their disabled sister, who was the sole inheritor of their father’s estate.
As part of Brosius’ plea deal, she admitted to stealing from two additional victims that were not part of her indictment. Investigators said a total of 12 clients were victimized in the case.
Her attorney has said that she retired from practicing law.
