Virginia Beach, Va., law firm Shuttleworth, Ruloff, Swain, Haddad & Morecock is no stranger to high-profile criminal cases. Its attorneys represented football star Michael Vick when he faced animal cruelty charges for his role in a dog-fighting ring, and they defended NBA standout Allen Iverson against a number of criminal charges during the past decade.
The 15-attorney firm was on the receiving end of criminal behavior when its bookkeeper embezzled more than $153,000 during the course of three years through unauthorized checks and wire transfers. U.S. District Judge Robert G. Doumar sentenced Norma Blackwell, 47, on Tuesday to 17 months in prison for mail fraud. Additionally, Blackwell must pay $153,203 in restitution to the firm and be supervised for three years following her release. Blackwell, of Sebring, Fla., pleaded guilty to mail fraud in September.
