November 16, 2018: Former Baltimore County Attorney Pleads Guilty to Felony Theft from Clients

For Immediate Release

Former Baltimore County Attorney Pleads Guilty to Felony Theft from Clients

State Prosecutor Emmet C. Davitt announced today that Roger L. Harris, Jr., former attorney, plead guilty in the Circuit Court for Baltimore County before the Honorable Robert E. Cahill Jr. to theft of approximately $74,795.23 from clients of his law practice. The statement of facts described how Harris forged his signatures on settlement checks and deposited the checks into his personal bank account. He also negotiated reduced costs from the third-party medical providers for his clients and took the extra settlement money for his own personal benefit. The Honorable Robert E. Cahill Jr. sentenced Mr. Harris to two (2) years suspended with three years of unsupervised probation and two (2) judgments of restitution.

“Attorneys hold a duty to act in the best interest of their clients. A breach of this duty affects the client as well as society as a whole” said State Prosecutor Davitt. This matter was referred to the Office of the State Prosecutor by both the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office as well as the Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland. Harris was disbarred from the practice of law in the State of Maryland on May 25, 2017.