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With his previous attorney trust account seized by the state Supreme Court, 57-year-old Barry D. Friedman deposited money from new clients into a business and personal account that he used “for his own purposes,” Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo said Wednesday.
New Jersey’s highest court first suspended Friedman’s license to practice in the state last January, after his attorney trust account reached a negative balance three times and he failed to comply with state Office of Attorney Ethics regulations, Calo said.
Three months later, he agreed to disbarment, which was finalized on May 23, the prosecutor said.
Friedman “continued to practice and receive benefits after the disbarment order,” Calo said.
Prosecutor’s detectives arrested Friedman in Teaneck on Tuesday.
He was charged with misapplication of entrusted funds of more than $100,000, theft by deception and unauthorized practice of law.
A Feb. 6 first appearance was scheduled in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack.
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