Victims of dishonest Wis. lawyers paid $2M

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Nearly $2 million in state funds have been paid to victims of dishonest attorneys in the last six years.

Records analyzed by the Journal Sentinel show the payments by the Wisconsin Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection nearly doubled the amount paid the previous six years. The fund was created 30 years ago by the state Supreme Court.

One attorney, Peter Elliott, has cost the fund more than any other lawyer. Elliott was convicted of stealing $3.6 million from clients and bank robbery. The fund has paid nearly $550,000 to eight of Elliott's clients.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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