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Lawyer Accused Of Stealing From Trusts Pleads Guilty

Picture of a judge's gavel
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A Vermont attorney accused of stealing money from trust accounts has pleaded guilty to mail fraud.
60-year-old William O'Brien of Winooski faces up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine when he's sentenced in May.

Prosecutors say O'Brien diverted money from trust and bank accounts under his control and used them for both personal use and for his law practice between 2007 and 2015. He also was charged with filing false reports about taxes with a probate court to cover up the theft.

The Bennington Banner reports that the exact amount of money diverted is unclear, but court documents say it was between $250,000 and $500,000.

O'Brien's clients have included the city of Winooski and the statewide Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.