Disbarred Queens Attorney Sentenced to 54 Months for Wire Fraud

Hyun W. Lee, a disbarred attorney from Queens, was sentenced to 54 months in federal prison for wire fraud after pleading guilty in December 2023. He was also ordered to pay $3.27 million in forfeiture and $3.29 million in restitution to his victims. Lee, who misappropriated funds entrusted to him by real estate clients between February 2018 and May 2023, falsely claimed he could manage escrow accounts, spending the money on personal expenses, including gambling. Disbarred in March 2020 for similar misconduct, he continued to exploit the trust placed in him by clients, particularly within the Korean-American community. U.S. Attorney John Durham emphasized the severity of Lee's actions and the breach of trust they represented. The case highlights ongoing issues of fraud within the legal profession and the importance of safeguarding client funds.