Duluth lawyer gets prison for misusing escrow funds

A Duluth lawyer was sentenced to more than two years in federal prison for using thousands of dollars from real estate transactions for personal use.

Prosecutors said Neal Landers, 46, a closing attorney, did not distribute money transferred into his escrow account from several closings, beginning in 2007. Instead, Landers delayed paying out the funds for weeks and sometimes months, and used some of the money to pay individuals from previous closings.

Landers also transferred escrow funds to his business checking account and used that money to pay various personal expenses, prosecutors said.

“Landers violated the law and the trust of his clients when he used his firm’s escrow account as his own personal piggy bank,” said U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said in a statement.

The attorney was sentenced to two years and three months, and ordered to pay $850,000 in restitution.

About the Author

Christopher Seward

Norfolk Southern sale puts major Atlanta philanthropic force in question

For metro Atlanta philanthropic causes that enjoy Norfolk Southern's support, there are unanswered questions about how committed the company will be after it is acquired.

How Home Depot’s newest AI tool could give it an edge with pro contractors

The Vinings-based home improvement retailer said Wednesday it has launched a new tool that creates a complete materials list and quote for a single-family project.

Home Depot cuts outlook amid housing slump and consumer uncertainty

Home Depot said its net income dipped to $3.6 billion during the third quarter, down 1.3% from the same period last year.

The Latest

Credit: Special

Beyond the odometer: What matters most in a used car

Why your car’s safety tech needs maintenance, too

OPINION

Saying goodbye to the Porsche 718 Cayman — for now

Featured

Credit: Arvin Temkar / AJC

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones scores another victory over use of campaign cash

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones appears to have scored another victory over Attorney General Chris Carr as the Republican gubernatorial candidates battle over campaign finance issues.

Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr.’s season is over; needs surgery to repair ACL

Michael Penix Jr., whom the Falcons hoped was their quarterback of the future, will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a partially torn ACL in his left knee.

Typewriter Tom fuels a growing interest in analog writing devices

Roswell's Tom Rehkopf owns about 1,000 typewriters, which he tinkers with at his workshop and happily shares with fellow aficionados, curious youngsters and even Tom Hanks.