Philippines Supreme Court Disbars Lawyer for Misappropriating P60 Million

Brian Schmidt, a disbarred attorney from Warwick, New York, faces criminal charges for allegedly stealing over $50,000 from a client during a 2022 real estate transaction. He surrendered to authorities and was arraigned for second-degree grand larceny, a felony that could result in five to 15 years in prison if convicted. Schmidt had previously been disbarred in June 2024 for misappropriating funds from multiple real estate deals and failing to cooperate with the investigation into his professional misconduct. Westchester District Attorney Susan Cacace emphasized the breach of trust inherent in his actions, stating her office aims to secure restitution for affected clients. The case highlights ongoing issues of financial misconduct among attorneys, echoing similar recent cases of disbarred lawyers misusing client funds. Such incidents raise concerns about the integrity of legal professionals and the protection of client interests.