(COLUMBUS, Ohio) -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien announced today that a Columbus attorney has been indicted on multiple charges alleging that he stole funds belonging to two wards through his work as a court-appointed legal guardian in Ohio.
A Franklin County Grand Jury today indicted Paul Kormanik, 64, on two felony counts of Theft from an Elderly Person or Disabled Adult. The Columbus attorney is accused of improperly transferring a total of more than $40,000 from the bank accounts of the two wards into his personal account after their deaths.
The indictment follows an investigation by agents with the Attorney General's Health Care Fraud Section and Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). The investigation was launched in May 2013 after agents received an anonymous tip regarding Kormanik's alleged actions.
"This defendant betrayed his wards, deceived the court, and manipulated the guardianship system in order to pad his bank account with money he was not entitled to," said Attorney General DeWine. "The investigation into the defendant's billing practices and use of client funds is ongoing, and we anticipate bringing more evidence to Prosecutor O'Brien for consideration of additional charges in the future."
"We appreciate the assistance of Attorney General Mike DeWine and Franklin County Probate Judge Robert Montgomery throughout the course of this investigation," said Prosecutor O'Brien. "This case is an example of state and local authorities working together to hold accountable those who choose to financially exploit Ohio's vulnerable citizens."
The indictment alleges that the improper transactions occurred between March 2012 and January 2014. One theft charge relates to the improper transfer of $33,641 from the account of an 80-year-old Columbus man after his death in 2011. The second charge relates to the improper transfer of $7,239 from the account of an 89-year-old Columbus woman after her death in 2012.
In May 2014, Attorney General DeWine unveiled a new Elder Justice Initiative within the Attorney General's Office to increase the investigation and prosecution of elder abuse cases and improve victims' access to services in Ohio. Since the launch of the initiative, the Attorney General's Office has received more than 100 requests for assistance and has opened multiple criminal investigations. The majority of complaints received regard financial exploitation of older adults ranging between $2,000 and $1,000,000.
Reports of the possible abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of an elderly Ohioan can be made to the Ohio Attorney General's Office by calling 800-282-0515.
A copy of today's indictment can be found on the Ohio Attorney General's website.
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Media Contacts:
Dan Tierney: 614-466-3840
Jill Del Greco: 614-466-3840