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Attorney Faces Charges
05/07/08 MRC/CJ
In 1996, when long-time Louisville attorney
Louis Smith began representing Emily Strange and handling
her affairs, she had assets totaling about $1 million,
according to court records.
By 2006, Strange was living in a
nursing home and facing eviction with an unpaid bill of
$19,000.
Prosecutors allege Strange was one of
several victims of Smith, who is accused of stealing more
than $680,000 from elderly and deceased clients.
Steve Romines, Smith’s attorney, said
in Jefferson Circuit Court Tuesday that Smith has been
diagnosed with dementia. The diagnosis, Romines wrote in
court records, could provide Smith with a “complete
defense or at the least lessen his criminal
responsibility.”
But prosecutors say Strange has been
stealing from his clients for at least seven years.
Smith, who has pleaded not guilty, is
being held in Metro Corrections. His bond was lowered by
Judge Barry Willett Tuesday, upon agreement of the
prosecution, from $500,000 to $175,000 in cash or his
home, worth about $300,000.
Willett acknowledged during the
hearing today that he knew Smith well, as Smith has been a
Louisville attorney for more than 30 years.
On March 20th, the Kentucky Supreme
Court suspended Smith from practicing law for allegedly
misappropriating Strange’s funds.
But prosecutors say Smith, 59,
continued to act as an attorney after the ruling.
Smith has been indicted on charges of
theft, knowing exploitation of a disabled adult,
possession of a forged instrument, tampering with a
witness, tampering with public records and unauthorized
practice of law.
Smith will have another hearing on
June 24th.
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