A former attorney from Lackawanna County, James Conaboy, has been sentenced to prison following a guilty plea to charges of misdemeanor forgery and tampering with records. Conaboy’s actions, which included deceiving clients with false settlement claims and forged documents, undermined the integrity of the legal system.
Attorney General Michelle Henry emphasized the breach of trust involved in Conaboy’s actions. Investigations revealed instances where Conaboy misled clients about settlement payouts, including falsifying documents with forged signatures to support his claims.
One notable case involved Conaboy convincing clients of a $700,000 settlement in a medical malpractice case, despite the court having already dismissed the case due to procedural errors. Similar fraudulent activities were uncovered in other cases, where Conaboy misrepresented settlement outcomes to clients.
Facing disciplinary action, Conaboy consented to his disbarment in April 2023, effectively ending his legal career. The prosecution, led by Senior Deputy Attorney General Rebecca Elo, underscores the importance of ethical conduct within the legal profession.
Conaboy’s sentencing serves as a warning about the severe consequences of betraying trust and ethical responsibilities within the legal system.