YONKERS---A disbarred attorney escaped prison time, instead being sentenced to five years probation after pleading guilty to second degree grand larceny.

Robert Dell'Aquila, 38, of Shoreview Drive, Yonkers, admitted to stealing $90,688 from a client between Feb. 10,2006 and April 27, 2006. The client was not aware that Dell'Aquila had been disbarred in 2001.

The money was entrusted to Dell'Aquila as a down payment in the sale of his client's home on Pelton Road in Yonkers. At closing, in April, 2006, Dell'Aquila did not have the money to pay his client. He had taken the funds for his own personal use.

Dell'Aquila was taken into custody by investigators from the Westchester County District Attorney's Office in August 2006.

Upon further investigation, it was discovered that three additional clients were defrauded by Dell'Aquila in the aggregate amount of $90,000.

Prior to sentencing, full restitution was made in the amount of $180,668.00.

Dell'Aquila faced a state prison term if full restitution was not paid before sentencing. 3-29-07

© 2007 North Country Gazette