T
errance Dougherty, a 35‑year‑old real‑estate attorney from Floral Park, received a 3½–10 year prison term after pleading guilty to 13 counts of grand larceny and a fraud scheme. He stole $1.7 million from the escrow accounts of at least 32 clients—including working families and Faith Way Church of Deliverance—between March 2021 and November 2024. The money, originally down payments and proceeds from property sales, was spent on nightclubs, hotels, dinners, and an extravagant five‑day spree that cost $200,000 in strip clubs across Long Island and New York City, leaving only $5.35 in the trust account.

    During sentencing before Nassau Supreme Court Justice Christopher Hoefenkrieg, Dougherty apologized and pledged to change, citing his drug and gambling addictions. Victims, represented by Jason Gentile, demanded justice rather than forgiveness. Ellen Gentile, whose $50,000 church donation was stolen, described the loss as devastating to her family’s financial stability and emotional well‑being. Other victims, such as Richmond Hill home‑health aide Sawatti Mohaber, expressed frustration over lost down payments that halted their home‑buying plans.

    Prosecutor Anne Donnelly highlighted that Dougherty’s actions ruined clients’ prospects of homeownership and eroded trust in the legal profession. The judge approved a civil judgment for the stolen amount, but the timing of restitution remains uncertain under the 3½–10‑year sentence. Victims may now seek reimbursement through the state’s Lawyers Fund for Client Protection.

    Dougherty’s defense attorney, Karen Johnston, noted his full admission of guilt and remorse, emphasizing that his crimes were driven by addiction. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness of breaching fiduciary duty and the need for accountability.