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Associated Press - May 19, 2009 2:25 PM ET
NEW YORK (AP) - A Manhattan lawyer has been charged with stealing $652,000 in settlement funds from 11 personal injury and medical malpractice clients.
Prosecutors say Marc A. Bernstein was arrested on second-degree grand larceny and other charges related to thefts from March 2007 through April 2009.
They say Bernstein negotiated settlements for injured clients, and when he received the money he kept it for himself. They say in one case he received a $650,000 settlement check but gave only $85,000 to his client.
the 54-year-old Bernstein pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Manhattan's state Supreme Court. He was held in $175,000 cash bail or $250,000 bond. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
Bernstein has practiced in New York since 1982. He was suspended last month.
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