Charles Diven Jr., a disbarred attorney and owner of the Navajo Fields sports complex in Yorktown, is facing a number of felony charges for defrauding two clients, Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore announced on Tuesday.
The 47-year-old Yorktown resident was arraigned on Aug. 13 on a 13-count indictment charging him with:
• three counts of second-degree grand larceny, felonies
• six counts of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, felonies
• three counts of third-degree criminal tax fraud, felonies
• one count of scheme to defraud, felony
Between April 2004 and December 2011, Diven, Jr., a disbarred attorney, defrauded two separate clients, DiFiore said.
In early 2005, one victim retained the man to represent her in divorce
proceedings. As the case progressed, in 2008, Diven Jr. directed her to provide him with $243,000 to demonstrate that she had the financial capacity to purchase her ex-husband’s share of the marital home. The funds were to be maintained in his attorney trust account.
Instead of maintaining the money, Diven Jr. used the money to pay for personal and/or business expenses without the knowledge or consent of his client, DiFiore said.
Between April 2004 and July 2009, Diven Jr. defrauded a second client in excess of $171,000. He was retained to settle the victim’s interest in his deceased father’s estate.
Again, instead of retaining the money entrusted to him, Diven Jr. used it to pay for personal and/or business expenses without the knowledge or consent of his client, DiFiore said.
Bail was continued at $5,000 cash or bond.
Diven, Jr.'s next court date is Aug. 27. He faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in state prison on the top count in the indictment.
Assistant District Attorney Shara Abraham, of the Public Integrity Bureau, is prosecuting the case.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
