Attorney seeks to retain her license
A suspended attorney, who claims the former brother-in-law of Family Court Judge Steven Jones conned her into dumping roughly $500,000 into an investment scheme, fought for her professional life Tuesday.
During a 13-hour hearing, Jeanne Winkler told a State Bar of Nevada panel that she put $270,000 of her own money into a scheme she claimed involved World War I bonds, the Chinese government, U.S. senators, and a man who worked directly for President George W. Bush. She also took at least $233,000 out of her client trust fund for the scheme, money she claims went to Thomas Cecrle, a former client and the former brother-in-law of Jones.
Winkler and her attorney, Michael Warhola, did not accuse Jones of any wrongdoing. The judge's name was never mentioned at the hearing, which was held to determine if Winkler should lose her license.
Bar counsel Rob Bare presented the case against Winkler, who admitted to the misappropriation after initially lying to officials once the theft was detected. In Nevada, lawyers are required to keep separate bank accounts one for clients' money and one for general purposes. When a client fund is overdrawn, banks are required to notify the State Bar.
Winkler made a tearful plea to the panel that could disbar her for life for taking $233,000 from former clients and improperly borrowing $115,000 from another client she has not fully repaid.
"You've heard these people tell you how my actions harmed them, and they did," Winkler said. "But I worked way too hard for my law license to have done something so stupid. I've taken responsibility. I will pay the money back. I want to practice law again. Please don't take (my license) away."
A handful of her 56 victims testified about how the attorney's betrayal has affected their lives.
Theresa Price, a young widow, has a small child and two stepchildren. Price's husband was killed in a car accident in 2007. Winkler took $40,000 in insurance payments that was due Price. As a result, Price said she lost her home and her vehicle.
"It was excuse after excuse," said Price of her efforts to get a check from Winkler.
Debra Hood went to Winkler for a divorce. Hood said her attorney asked for and received a $115,000 loan from her. Winkler initially claimed Hood was lying, but has since paid back about $18,000. "I feel violated," Hood said.
The paycheck Winkler earns working as a paralegal at the law firm of Bret Whipple is being garnished to repay Hood. Winkler has made roughly $84,000 in restitution since her suspension two years ago.
Winkler's hearing will resume sometime in the next 30 days. The State Bar panel, which consists of three attorneys and a layperson, could disbar Winkler, continue her suspension or reinstate her license with or without conditions.
