November 23, 2024
Archive

York Beach lawyer acquitted in theft case

PORTLAND – A lawyer from York Beach has been acquitted in a criminal case for the second time this year.

After more than three hours of deliberation Wednesday, a Cumberland County Superior Court jury found Stephen Brett, 47, not guilty of theft.

The prosecution charged that Brett was double-dipping by demanding additional payments from a client in a court-appointed case in which legal expenses are paid by the state.

Brett said he accepted two $500 money orders from the client after she insisted on paying for her own defense.

In April, Brett was acquitted of violating a client’s bail conditions by allegedly arranging for a couple in a domestic violence case to be together.

The conduct that led to the two criminal cases, along with other complaints, resulted in the suspension of Brett’s license to practice a year ago.

His lawyer, Jack Simmons, said Brett has worked during that time in “big-box retail” in New Hampshire and would try to return to the legal profession now that he’s been cleared in both criminal cases.


Have feedback? Want to know more? Send us ideas for follow-up stories.

comments for this post are closed

You may also like