Former Jackson County attorney will serve at least six years in prison for embezzlement
by Danielle Quisenberry | Jackson Citizen Patriot
July 17, 2009
Former Jackson County lawyer Richard McQuillan said he considers it a "lifelong obligation" to pay back the heirs of an estate he said he plundered to help people in the Dominican Republic.
"It is my sincere desire to get out, to work and earn this," said McQuillan, 55, who earlier pleaded guilty to three counts of embezzling more than $20,000 from the estate of Robert Howard, who died in December 2006 at age 84.
First, McQuillan is to serve at least six years in prison.
Jackson County Circuit Judge John McBain went well beyond state sentencing guidelines, which called for 10 to 23 months in prison or jail, and sentenced McQuillan on Thursday to six to 10 years in prison.
McBain said the guidelines did not adequately reflect the amount of money stolen — more than $800,000 — and McQuillan's abuse of his position of trust.
"Action of an attorney like you, it damages the reputation of every attorney in the country," McBain said.
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