A former Bradford solicitor, who went on the run for 12 years, has admitted carrying out a £1 million fraud.
John Fitzpatrick, now 65, was extradited from South Africa in July and has now pleaded guilty to theft and fraud charges involving a total of £1,157,000.
Fitzpatrick disappeared in 2001 after police started an investigation into the swindling of £1.5m of clients’ money by the Bradford law firm where he worked, the long-established TI Clough and Company.
The company was closed down by the Law Society, which had heard how customers’ cash was used to stave off bankruptcy.
Three lawyers with the company, including Fitzpatrick, were struck off the solicitors’ roll following a disciplinary tribunal.
West Yorkshire Police and the Serious Fraud Office mounted an international search for the fugitive lawyer, and in 2004 fraud investigators renewed an appeal to Bradford people to help them track down the disgraced solicitor, and a missing client, Lisa Sanderson, who were wanted in connection with investigations into a mortgage fraud.
Police also wanted to speak to Fitzpatrick, formerly of Halifax Road, Liversedge, about £1.5m of deficiencies at the law firm.
The appeal followed the jailing that year of six people, including Shipley chartered accountant Howard Clayton, for a total of 16 years for mortgage fraud, relating to conveyancing work TI Clough did on five houses in West and South Yorkshire.
At the time, West Yorkshire Police said: “There are still two individuals outstanding in connection with the inquiry and we are determined to trace them so it can be successfully concluded.”
Now the Serious Fraud Office in London has revealed that Fitzpatrick is to be sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court next month.
The SFO said: “John Fitzpatrick is a former solicitor who was charged with 21 offences relating to investment and mortgage frauds and the misappropriation of client money.
“Mr Fitzpatrick was employed by TI Clough and Co solicitors in Bradford, between February 2000 and September 2000; however, he also operated as a solicitor under his own name from his home address.
“The alleged offences took place between 1996 and 2001. Mr Fitzpatrick was struck off the Roll of Solicitors on March 8, 2002.”
The SFO said Fitzpatrick was extradited from South Africa on July 22, this year.
A trial was listed for earlier this month but the SFO added: “John Fitzpatrick has pleaded guilty at Sheffield Crown Court to seven charges of theft and two charges of obtaining money transfers by deception, representing £1,157,000. Sentencing is listed for December 17, 2013, at Sheffield Crown Court.”
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