“Blatant lies, obfuscations, and evasions” aggravating factors, Board writes
Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
The state agency that investigates and evaluates complaints against lawyers has recommended a Worcester attorney be disbarred for misusing clients’ money.
In a decision dated September 13th, the Board of Bar Overseers wrote that Abby R. Williams, also known as Abigail R. Williams, “intentionally deprived several clients of their money from personal injury settlements” by “fraudulently inflating case expenses.”
Not yet registered on the016.com? Sign up today and be the first to know what's going on in and around Worcester! Registration is free and easy
The decision affirms the recommendation of a hearing committee that investigated the charges.
In August 2019, Williams had her license to practice law administratively suspended.
In an article in the Telegram & Gazette, “notices were sent to state and federal courts last month, Supreme Judicial Court records show, after the Board of Bar Overseers secured the suspension in April.
“According to the BBO petition, Ms. Williams failed to cooperate with a disciplinary investigation opened following allegations she failed to properly account for $124,356 in costs her firm charged a client in a medical malpractice case.”
In the same month, Williams won a civil lawsuit that alleged she committed malpractice.
The Telegram & Gazette reported that, “[a]fter an 11-day trial, the jury ruled that Ms. Williams did not commit legal malpractice, did not make negligent misrepresentations and did not make an intentional misrepresentation in her representation of a client in a medical malpractice lawsuit.
In the recent decision, the Board agreed with the hearing committee that Williams was responsible for diverting money into her firm’s bank account, as well as her own personal account.
Williams claimed that the wrongdoing was done by a former employee, lawyer Ross Annenberg, who pleaded guilty to stealing $225,000 in 2019 and was disbarred. “In a disturbing confluence of misconduct, [Williams] and Annenberg independently stole money from different clients,” the Board wrote.
The Board found no mitigating factors in Williams’ conduct, but “also found as an aggravating factor that [Williams] failed to recognize her own ethical obligations and the nature and consequences of her actions by repeatedly attempting to blame others.”
The Board held that Williams lied in her testimony to the committee and wrote, “We generally are reticent to penalize a lawyer for defending herself at trial. However, our indulgence is limited. Where, as here, the record is replete with blatant lies, obfuscations, and evasions, we will not hesitate to consider this in aggravation.”
The finds were at odds with those of the special prosecutor who tried the case against Annenberg. In 2019, prosecutor Donald Ball told the T&G, “I’ve never seen one document that indicates that Abigail stole any money from anyone.”
The case is subject to appeal.
What else is happening in and around Worcester? Click here or keep scrolling ⤵️
In The News
>WEATHER: Mark Rosenthal's 7-day forecast (:30). High of 56 today in Worcester
>TOP OF THE NEWS
-51-year-old amputee playing baseball at Quinsigamond Community College after accident ended trucking career (2:21). Article
-Worcester’s city employee salary database for 2023: see the city’s top earners and more
-Worcester public housing community receives high inspection score, despite complaints
-GoFundMe created to benefit family of Worcester shooting victim Bob Nuah
-Worcester judge orders fourth triple shooting suspect held without bail
-Charged in Worcester girl's death, Christopher Remillard awaits trial
-W.R.T.A. board votes to extend fare-free buses through 2025
-W.B.J. hires New School graduate as reporter covering health care, D.E.I.
-Danish educators learn classroom A.I. from Worcester teachers
-Worcester Tech senior Stephen highlighted as a Worcester Star Student
-Radio Worcester (15:55): Eric Batista discusses Worcester gun violence & city plans
-Faces of Worcester: Sean Harris, Director of Community Engagement, Quinsigamond Community College
>DINING OUT: Phantom Gourmet's Great 8 Unique Restaurant Locations (5:02)
-ICYMI: Rutland teen killed in crash during motocross race in Southwick
-Channel 5 Wake Up Call from Chandler Magnet Elementary School in Worcester (:46)
-New Worcester Police Department gun unit recovers first illegal firearm
-Cordella's Coffee opens in Worcester on bustling block
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): Eagle Scout project refurbishes church lounge
-Lamoureux Ford salutes the UConn Huskies (:54)
-Spring composting 8 to 2:30 Saturday
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): West Boylston plans override, amount T.B.D.
-Sutton solar project remains under enforcement order
-Clinton P.T.A. now "award winning"
-Rutland hydrant flushing begins April 22nd
-Q.C.C. Early College Program coming to Southbridge High School
-9 Grafton B.V.T. students earn medals at District V competition
-The Item's public safety logs
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Friday
>SHOWTIME: Taylor Swift unveils surprise double album "The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology" -- and fans go wild
-Five things to do: Motorheads, mind readers, moments of music
-Richard Thomas in "To Kill a Mockingbird" in Worcester
-Street style served up fresh at fashion show
-Northampton cosmic metal act Black Pyramid set to invade Central Mass.
-Worcester State prof and poet Heather Treseler wins prize for "enthralling" poems
-WCCA-TV's Chandler Chat No. 421 (27:14): Dr. Lynda Young
-Unity Radio (55:04): Standups and Standouts
-This Week in Worcester Podcast (51:27): Public restrooms, youth justice reform, Rep. McGovern on Gaza
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to local 17-year-old killed in crash
>SPORTS: Former Worcester Academy star T.J. Power of Shrewsbury leaving Duke, enters transfer portal
-Boston police warn Bruins, Celtics fans about counterfeit playoff tickets
-Eliot Wolf, Patriots "open for business" entering NFL Draft
-NFL Draft Preview featuring Holy Cross stars Jalen Coker and C.J. Hanson (33:06)
-Holy Cross Athletics announces return of Coaches Road Show
-Clark's Isaiah Taylor to host free youth basketball clinic Saturday on campus
-Red Sox lose to Cleveland, 5-4
-WooSox postponed, doubleheader Saturday
-Remembering Larry Lucchino, eulogy by Dr. Charles Steinberg
>CARS: Bertera has the all-star team to help you find your next Nissan car or truck (:39)
-About 55,000 Prius, Prius HEV compact cars recalled
>NATIONAL: 6 arrested, 3 on run in what police call biggest gold theft in Canada’s history
-Shocking video captures scam victim pointing gun at innocent Uber driver before allegedly killing her
-Tragic: Video shows cop shooting 15-year-old with toy gun
>NEW ENGLAND: James Parker granted parole in 2001 Zantop murders
-11-year-old Maine boy killed after crashing friend's A.T.V.
>COLLEGES: Anna Maria’s play raises money for local charity
-Student entrepreneurs make a splash at WooTank
-Winners of Nichols' annual Elevator Speech Competition announced
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): The 8 most underrated places in Switzerland
>BUSINESS: Retail sales rose in March for the second straight month
-LPL Research: Revisiting energy
-W.B.J.'s 5 Things I know about ... Still overlooked money basics
>SHOPPING: Yoto mini recall affects 250,000 speakers for kids due to fire risk
>HOMES: See all homes sold in Worcester County, April 7th to 13th
>HEALTH: Mass. doctor on new warning about measles (2:36)
-Cardiac arrest and COVID vaccines aren't linked in young, C.D.C. says
>FOOD: Central Mass. Mom's Best Ice Cream Shops in Central Mass.
>TV/STREAMING: CNN axes Charles Barkley and Gayle King's weekly show "King Charles"
>MOVIES: A fifth "Matrix" movie is in the works
>CELEBRITY: Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80
>ANIMALS: Puppy thrown in trash is unrecognizable now (3:01)
>HISTORY: George Frisbie Hoar Monument
>GOOD NEWS (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Couple a perfect match in marriage and in their kidneys
-Meanwhile, in Las Vegas, woman goes ballistic while being arrested on Spirit plane
Latest obituaries | | Thursday's highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
Quick Links: Personalize your news | | Browse members | | Advertise | | Blogs | | Invite friends | | Videos
Animals | | Boston Sports | | Business | | Cars | | Celebrity | | Colleges | | Commute & Travel | | Crime | | Faith | | Food | | Good News | | Health | | History | | Homes | | Local Sports | | Lottery | | Movies | | National | | New England | | Politics | | Shopping & Deals | | SHOWTIME! | | TV & Streaming | | Weather