the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Closter NJ, a Queens-based attorney and Closter, NJ resident, Hyun W. Kee, also known as Michael Lee, has been sentenced to four-and-a-half years in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud in December 2023.
Attorney Sentenced for Defrauding Real Estate Clients
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, Lee was sentenced on February 4, 2024, by U.S. District Judge Pamela K. Chen for defrauding his real estate clients and their counterparts.
In addition to his prison sentence, the disbarred attorney must pay:
✅ $3.27 million in forfeiture
✅ $3.29 million in restitution to victims
Trusted Lawyer Turned Fraudster
U.S. Attorney John Durham condemned Lee’s actions, stating:
“The defendant was disbarred for reprehensible misconduct, but that severe penalty did not deter him from continuing to abuse the trust of clients. It is my hope that he will get the message after serving a term of imprisonment for his crimes.”
Lee marketed himself as a trusted lawyer within Queens’ Korean-American community, where many immigrants relied on him for legal representation. However, instead of protecting his clients, he stole millions.
How the Fraud Unfolded
Lee was admitted to practice law in New York in 2003 and operated an office in Flushing, Queens. However, in March 2020, he was disbarred after it was discovered that he misappropriated client and third-party funds.
Between February 2018 and May 2023, he convinced clients to deposit funds into his escrow accounts under false pretenses. Instead of using the money for its intended purpose, Lee gambled at casinos and covered expenses at a restaurant he co-owned.
Fake Documents and Empty Promises
Lee went to great lengths to deceive his clients, including:
- Fabricating documents to make them believe their money was secure.
- Misleading clients into thinking his escrow account held nearly $3 million, when in reality, it was depleted to just $25,000.
- Falsely claiming he was “working out an equitable distribution of funds.”
What to Do If You Are a Victim
Victims of Lee’s fraud or other legal misconduct may be eligible for compensation through the Lawyer’s Fund for Client Protection.
📞 Call: 800-442-3863
📧 Email: info@nylawfund.org
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