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wo Toronto lawyers, Singa Bui and her husband Nicholas Cartel, are facing criminal charges after allegedly embezzling over $7 million from their firm's trust accounts. The money was meant for clients but was instead used to fund the couple's lavish lifestyle, including luxury fashion and decor.

    Bui, 42, has been charged with 42 counts, including 24 counts of fraud over $5,000 and 17 instances of criminal breach of trust. Her husband, Cartel, 61, faces one count of fraud over $5,000. Both lawyers have a history of mismanaging client funds, with Bui admitting in a sworn statement that she started embezzling money as far back as 2014 to fund personal expenses.

    The couple's law firm, Cartel & Bui LLP, is facing multiple lawsuits from clients who claim they were defrauded out of millions. Former client Nancy Marsilla says she lost $220,000 after the sale of her home in 2021, which was being held by the firm while she settled her divorce.

    Cartel has denied any involvement in the alleged embezzlement and blames his wife for managing their finances. However, police have seized hundreds of luxury items from their home, including designer shoes, dresses, and artwork.

    The Law Society of Ontario had provisionally suspended both lawyers from practising law last year while it investigates. The pair has already served time in jail for contempt of court related to the civil proceedings against them.