Two veteran lawyers who ran a boutique practice in the Bronx have had their licenses suspended for failing to supervising a bookkeeper—and personal friend of one of the lawyers—who stole more than $2.5 million from firm bank accounts, including escrow accounts.
The bookkeeper eventually paid back the money, which was siphoned from funds tied to some 200 client matters, and ultimately no clients or third parties lost cash. But lawyers Jay Zucker and Steven Kwestel admitted to several acts of professional misconduct and have stipulated, along with a state attorney grievance committee, that they should receive six-month suspensions because of their wrongdoing, according to the court.
