In a case illustrating how quickly an unethical attorney can inflict harm, the New Jersey Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection has paid out almost $1.6 million to more than 70 clients of disbarred lawyer Steven H. Salami, all for thefts in the first three quarters of 2019.

Salami, who was a solo practitioner in Hazlet, New Jersey, stole deposits from clients while acting as escrow agent in home purchases beginning in early 2019, according to court papers from the LFCP. He was arrested and charged in connection with the thefts in October of that year, and two months later was disbarred.