DA: Attorney Stole $16K in Escrow Funds

A Lido Beach woman stole more than $16,000 meant for taxes on a New Jersey family’s apartment in New York City, reported the Nassau County District Attorney’s office.

Susan Odery, 56, of Lido Beach, was arrested and arraigned Wednesday on two counts of third-degree grand larceny, said the DA. Odery was released on her own recognizance.

In May 2012, Odery represented a New Jersey mother and daughter as they sold an apartment in New York City. At the closing, an agreement was made that $16,758 would be applied to NYS tax payments, said the DA.

However, Odery reportedly stopped payment on two checks she wrote at the closing and did not have sufficient funds to make the payments.

In April 2013, the victims found out the taxes hadn’t been paid after receiving a bill for penalties from the state. They contacted Odery, who claimed there was an error and said she would handle it, but didn’t, claiming she had trouble retrieving files because of Hurricane Sandy damage.

The victims filed a complaint with the DA’s office and Oder was charged.