A former fiduciary accountant with the law firm of Smith, Gambrell & Russell has been accused of stealing more than $1.2 million from a Holocaust survivor. After the survivor, Lily Buchwald, gave Smith Gambrell power of attorney, Barry Palczewski, then working at the firm as a fiduciary accountant, had access to her bank accounts and personal checks. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office charges that from 2008 to 2010, Palczewski stole more than 100 checks and forged them as Buchwald’s lawyer. The checks, made payable to Palczewski, allegedly went toward his rent, consulting business, hot tub repairs, sporting events and other things, prosecutors said.
Palczewski, 55, was arraigned on Friday on charges of first-degree grand larceny, second-degree forgery and second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument. He pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he faces up to 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison.
