A Cobb County real estate attorney has been disbarred after admitting to stealing thousands of dollars from his clients.
Anthony Eugene Cheatham Friday pleaded guilty in Cobb County Superior Court to charges of racketeering, unlicensed practice of law, six counts of theft and four counts of elder exploitation, the District Attorney’s Office said.
Cheatham, 63, specialized in real estate transactions and laws pertaining to elderly citizens. However, an investigation conducted by the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office found the Acworth resident used money given to him by his clients, many of whom were elderly, to pay his bills, write checks and pay other people to whom he owed money.
The district attorney’s office said Cheatham hid his actions by showing his clients fake documents and giving “false excuses” about their money. One theft occurred in 2017 when Cheatham’s law license had been suspended, the office added.
Prosecutors said the victims, some of whom had more than $100,000 stolen by Cheatham, “have each been made whole” since his family agreed to pay restitution.
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Judge C. LaTain Kell sentenced Cheatham to 20 years, one of which he will have to serve. However, since Cheatham has been in custody for more than a year, he will receive credit for time served and will be released from the Cobb County Jail. He’s also been disbarred, and is not allowed to practice law again or manage the finances or care of another person.
“Mr. Cheatham violated his position of trust as an attorney, and even more egregiously, did so against elderly clients,” Cobb Assistant District Attorney David Williamson said. “It is unique that the State was able to secure full restitution upfront for all the victims, however, that does not excuse the Defendant’s behavior and the violation of the oath the Defendant took as an attorney to uphold the law. As a result, Mr. Cheatham will never practice law again and will never work in any sort position of trust, especially around the elderly.”
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