A Warminster man is suing attorney Debbie Carlitz, saying the lawyer, who employed so-called "hoax mom" Bonnie Sweeten, stole his $100,000 car crash settlement.
The alleged fraud happened while Sweeten was working in the office. Carlitz's attorney refused to say more, citing the ongoing FBI investigation.
According to the lawsuit, filed Monday in Bucks County court in Doylestown, Theodore Klein hired Carlitz to represent him following a December 2007 car accident. He said she negotiated a personal injury settlement with his insurance company, and that the company gave Carlitz a check for $100,000 in September 2008.
Both Klein's and Carlitz's names were on the check, according to the lawsuit. Klein said Carlitz cashed the check "purportedly signed" by him.
"Plaintiff...never saw the settlement check nor was he ever aware that a settlement check had been issued," the suit reads.
The suit says Carlitz called Klein in June 2009 and informed him about the settlement, but says he hasn't received any money.
Klein is accusing Carlitz of professional negligence and breach of contract, and is asking the courts to force Carlitz to pay him back. His attorney, Jeffrey Michels, was not available for comment on Monday afternoon.
Carlitz's lawyer, Ellen Brotman, said she had not seen the lawsuit and could not comment on it. But she insisted that Carlitz was not to blame.
"Categorically, Debbie Carlitz has never wrongfully taken a penny of her clients' money," Brotman said. "As to what happened in Mr. Klein's case, I believe the matter is being investigated by state and federal authorities, and it would be inappropriate for me to comment further."
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Monday, September 28, 2009
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