California Lawyer Arrested After Client Fund Gambling and Faked Cancer
A lawyer based out of Manhattan Beach, California, stole $116k from clients, gambled them away, and faked terminal cancer.
California lawyer arrested for stolen funds for gambling addiction.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:He’s since been disbarred, per the State Bar Association. The lawyer responsible is Sergio Valdovinos Ramirez. During a hearing at the State Bar Court of California, his usage of client funds was described as “unrelenting.”
Mr. Valdovinos Ramirez cheated his clients out of their funds, in part to feed his gambling habit; he then showed no remorse and lied about a life-threatening illness to avoid taking responsibility for his misconduct. Disbarment is entirely appropriate in this case.
Related: Poker Player Fakes Cancer Tale to Play in WSOP Main Event
Valdovinos Ramirez Wrote Clients Bad Check
In all, Valdovinos Ramirez was found to be responsible for 19 ethics violations. In two particular incidents, he took nearly $74k in advanced fees that were supposed to be used to represent a client in a conservatorship case.
From there, he told a client he was representing in an employment discrimination case that the case had been settled for $58k. However, Valdovinos Ramirez never filed paperwork in the case. Instead, he wrote them a check from his own account that he knew would bounce.
In all, Valdovinos Ramirez spent $886,535 at gambling outfits in California from Feb. 2021 to Feb. 2023. He spent client funds on various things in addition to gambling, like utilities, restaurants, gas, and Lyft rides.
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He Faked Terminal Cancer
During his disciplinary trial, Valdovinos Ramirez mentioned he was dying of cancer, and that’s what was delaying his work with clients. He claimed to have been treated at City of Hope Hospital by Dr. Stephen Chang. Dr. Chang doesn’t exist, though.
The State Bar Court Review Department, in its June opinion, described the case as concerning and severe lawyer dishonesty, which occurred during his practice and continued through his disciplinary trial. The ruling noted that his misconduct was further aggravated by additional acts of dishonesty.
Specifically, Valdovinos Ramirez deceived his clients to delay the discovery of his misappropriation and his failure to complete the work he had promised. He has now been ordered to pay restitution to five former clients, along with 10% annual interest.
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