Staff Report
A Boston lawyer and resident of North Attleborough and Haverhill was charged Thursday with allegedly defrauding two of his clients of over $2 million, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Patrick J. Dolan, 60, was charged with four counts of wire fraud. The defendant will make an initial appearance in federal court at a later date.
The charge of wire fraud has a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristina E. Barclay of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions is prosecuting the case.
According to the charging documents, between November 2018 and November 2024, Dolan allegedly devised a scheme to defraud his clients and others who entrusted him to maintain funds in accounts he controlled for their benefit.
It is alleged that Dolan stole over $2 million that he was holding in escrow, pending the outcome of a family trust lawsuit in which Dolan represented one of the parties, and U.S. Attorney’s Office stated.
Dolan allegedly used the stolen funds for himself and his family, making transfers to accounts held in the names of family members or shell companies, using funds to make mortgage, tuition and student loan payments and using funds to pay for personal items and services.
Dolan is further alleged to have stolen at least $87,500 from a supplemental needs trust established for another client, and using the funds to make a down payment towards the purchase of real property located in Haverhill, where Dolan subsequently resided with his family. It is further alleged that Dolan made false statements to his clients and others regarding the stolen funds, falsified bank statements and falsified accounting records.