New York Court of Appeals
The People of the State of New York v. John A. Keeffe
May 1, 198050 N.Y.2d 149
Summary
The New York Court of Appeals held that the attorney’s withdrawals from a special account did not constitute larceny because the predecessor attorney had no property or ownership interest in the settlement funds, and reversed and dismissed the third count of the indictment. Justice Jasen dissented, arguing that the attorney was the owner of the fee and that the conduct was larceny.