A former solicitor who stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from clients over nearly two decades – using the money to fund home renovations, overseas property, and a classic car – has been jailed for four years.
A former Essex solicitor who defrauded clients of more than £350,000 (around AU$720,000) over 15 years has been jailed, after what police described as a “complex web of deception” that shattered the trust of dozens of clients and businesses.
The 64-year-old solicitor, Sean Callaghan, has been sentenced to four years in prison after admitting to 17 counts of fraud and two counts of theft at a London court.
Over nearly two decades and while working across two law firms, Essex Police stated he “repeatedly edited payment details to divert funds from client accounts to accounts he controlled, inflated client fees for his own personal gain, and falsified invoices”.
In one instance in 2008, while managing the estate of a deceased woman, Callaghan altered the distribution of funds to conceal more than £20,000, which he transferred into one of his business accounts just days after paying the surviving family their share.
Police revealed that Callaghan used the proceeds from his crimes to fund extensive home renovations, acquire a classic car and replacement parts, and invest in overseas property.
The former solicitor’s fraud only came to light after he joined a new firm in 2019 and continued his schemes, leading the firm to notify Essex Police and launch an internal investigation.
During the investigation, police disclosed that more than a dozen individuals and businesses were either defrauded or unwittingly used to hide Callaghan’s stolen funds, with total losses estimated at £396,228.77 (approximately AU$815,000).
Callaghan was struck off the roll of solicitors in June 2022 after admitting to dishonestly misappropriating client money.
Detective Thomas Blackmore of Essex Police condemned Callaghan’s abuse of client trust, highlighting his “total disregard” for the law and the devastating impact of his actions on those affected.
“Callaghan was in a position of trust over his clients, yet he operated a complex web of deception to exploit their funds. He did this over and over, with total disregard for those he was stealing from, in one case even a family’s inheritance,” Blackmore said.
“The sums in this case are shocking, but much worse is the long-term impact on the people and businesses whose money he has taken. It was only right he was given a custodial sentence and hopefully it emphasises that those who abuse their position will be punished.”
