I
n a shocking turn of events, a disbarred attorney from Flushing has been handed a four-and-a-half year prison sentence for swindling millions from his Korean-American clients in Queens. The scheme, which spanned five years, saw Hyun W. Lee, 51, misrepresent himself as a trusted lawyer to exploit vulnerable immigrants who placed their faith in him.

    Lee's crimes were uncovered after he pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges on December 1st. As part of his plea deal, he agreed to forfeit $3.27 million and pay an additional $3.29 million in restitution to his victims. The disbarred attorney's downfall was swift, with U.S. Attorney John Durham stating that Lee's actions were "reprehensible" and a clear abuse of trust.

    Lee's law office, located at 163-07 Depot Rd. in Murray Hill, was the hub of his deceitful activities. He would convince clients to entrust him with funds for real estate transactions, only to misappropriate them for his own gain. The money was used to fuel Lee's lavish lifestyle, including frequent trips to casinos and expenses at a restaurant he co-owned.

    The severity of Lee's crimes is underscored by the fact that many of his victims were immigrants who relied heavily on him due to their limited experience with the legal system. Durham praised the Queens County District Attorney's office for their assistance in bringing Lee to justice, stating that it was "particularly egregious" that he targeted a community already vulnerable to exploitation.

    U.S. District Judge Pamela K. Chen handed down the sentence on February 4th, emphasizing the need for accountability and restitution. As Lee begins his prison term, he will be forced to confront the consequences of his actions, which have left a trail of financial devastation in their wake.