Crime & Safety
Freehold Attorney Allegedly Stole $237K From Client
Deidre Przygoda faces charges of theft and misapplication of entrusted property.
A former attorney is accused of stealing more than $200,000 from a client, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office said in a press release issues Thursday.
Deidre Przygoda, 46, of Freehold was arrested Wednesday on second degree charges of theft and misapplication of entrusted property, according to the release.
The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office began investigating Przygoda, formerly a licensed attorney with a practice based in Freehold, while looking into the misappropriation of funds belonging to one of her clients. According to the release, the client hired Przygoda to represent her in refinancing her home. The client gave Przygoda $237,000 to satisfy her original mortgage and the funds were deposited into Przygoda’s attorney trust account. Instead of paying the mortgage, prosecutors say Przygoda issued checks to herself from her attorney escrow account.
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After her arrest, Przygoda posted $35,000 bail and was released. If found guilty, Przygoda faces a maximum sentence of 10 years.
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