Lawyer Accused of Stealing $2M From Vets

Houston Chronicle

A Houston lawyer and his wife appeared in federal court Tuesday, accused of stealing more than $2 million from military veterans.

Joe Phillips, 71, and Dorothy Phillips, 70, who managed her husband's small law office, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy Johnson, charged with conspiracy, misappropriation by a fiduciary, making materially false statements to a federal agency and tax fraud, according to federal officials.

Phillips, a former employee of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Houston, is accused of stealing from mentally incompetent veterans.

In his capacity as their attorney, Phillips opened and maintained bank accounts to receive benefits for the veterans and pay their expenses, according to prosecutors.

Investigators allege the couple transferred money into joint bank accounts for their personal use for six years, beginning January 2003.

Angela Dodge, a spokeswoman for the Department of Justice in Houston, said the couple did not have a lawyer when arraigned. Bail was set at $100,000 each.

Calls to the couple's office and home were not returned late Tuesday.