A federal judge Friday sentenced a former lawyer to more than five years in prison for stealing more than $2 million.
Michael Rene Berlon, of Loganville in Gwinnett County, stole the money from his clients between 2008 to 2014, acting U.S. Attorney John Horn said.
“The defendant was a respected member of the community and held an important position of trust,” Horn said in an email.
Berlon stole the funds while a sole practitioner in Grayson from money he was supposed to hold in trust or use to resolve issues on behalf of clients, Horn said.
As part of his plea agreement, Berlon agreed to pay restitution of more than $2 million to 15 different individuals.
Berlon, 55, will also be put on three years probation after release and is ordered to repay $2,009,542 after pleading guilty to wire fraud on February 25.
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