WHITE PLAINS, NY –Laurieanne Delitta, a former attorney based in Armonk, NY, was arrested this morning on charges related to misappropriation and fraud involving client funds. She grew up in New Rochelle where she attended the public schools.
The Westchester County District Attorney’s Office issued a brief statement saying more information will be available soon.
Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah announced that former Armonk real estate lawyer Laurieanne DeLitta was indicted for stealing over $3.5 million from eight clients she represented between 2017 and 2021.
DeLitta, 50, of Briarcliff Manor, was charged by a Westchester County Grand Jury and arraigned on Nov. 10, 2021, with eight counts of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree and two counts of Unauthorized Practice of a Profession, all felonies. The Westchester County District Attorney’s Office Criminal Investigators made the arrest.
According to the indictment, between Jan. 2017 and March 2021, DeLitta stole over $3.5 million from eight individuals and estates. DeLitta was also charged by the Grand Jury with two counts of practicing law without a license.
DeLitta is scheduled to appear again in Westchester County Court on Nov. 29, 2021.
The case is before Judge Susan Cacace in Westchester County Court, and is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Cooper Gorrie. If anyone has been a victim or has further information on this case, please contact the District Attorney’s Office at (914) 995-TIPS.
She has been under investigation on allegations that she misappropriated $4.4 mm dollars in funds entrusted to her as fiduciary and engaged in fraud, deceit, and misrepresentation.
On November 2, 2020, Delitta resigned as an attorney and counselor-at-law. In a sworn affidavit she acknowledge that she was then the subject of five complaints of professional misconduct against her that are under investigation by the Grievance Committee for the Ninth Judicial District, and that the complaints allege that she misappropriated funds entrusted to her as fiduciary, incident to her practice of law, and engaged in fraud, deceit, and misrepresentation.
On May 19, 2021, the New York State Appellate Division, Second Department revoked DeLitta’s law license after she agreed to make restitution of $1.4 million to four clients: Ira Cohen ($500,812), Naomi Wundeler ($600,000), Joseph Vallarell ($230,000), and Roberta Stein-Ham ($130,000).
DeLitta is facing another $2 million in default judgments involving three other complaints.
The New York State Lawyers Fund for Client Protection may cover some losses but the maximum award from the Lawyers Fund is $400,000.
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