The Nassau County District Attorney’s Office has charged a disbarred attorney with stealing $1.64 million from a client who believed the ex-attorney was helping him to buy three pieces of real estate. James Kalpakis, 50, of Old Westbury, forged paperwork and kept the unknowing client’s money, according to the district attorney. He was arrested yesterday and charged with first-degree grand larceny and three counts of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument. He now faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
According to the district attorney, Mr. Kalpakis approached an unidentified real estate investor between February and December 2009 with three property deals. The client did not know Mr. Kalpakis had been suspended from practicing law in 2005 after being charged with 14 counts of professional misconduct and was disbarred in September 2009.
