The Newark lawyer made famous for his portrayal in the 2007 film “American Gangster” and his former law partner were sentenced to probation Thursday for stealing client funds.

Richard Roberts, an attorney who formerly operated a Newark law firm, was sentenced to five years of probation for stealing $20,000 from a client, conditioned on performance of 270 hours of community service. The sentence was imposed by Superior Court Judge Donald Collester Jr. in Morris County.