A former longtime Bridgeport attorney was indicted Wednesday on charges of wire fraud for allegedly defrauding clients, family members and friends of more than $900,000.
Thomas Murtha, who was a partner and managing member of now-defunct Maher & Murtha in Bridgeport, is charged with fraudulently obtaining and converting hundreds of thousands of dollars from his victims including former clients.
Murtha, who resigned from the bar in September 2016 after three grievance complaints were filed against him, is accused of defrauding five victims. That includes a brother and sister and their deceased cousin, who jointly owned a three-family Shelton home. Murtha, 61, handled the sale of the home and the cousin's estate.
Murtha allegedly lied to clients that he safeguarded and disbursed the proceeds from legal representations. He's accused of using the money for his own benefit instead.
Murtha, who is also accused of forging documents for a mortgage and trust, allegedly used the money to purchase a $725,000 home in Michigan and a 2.11 carat diamond engagement ring.
Murtha, who faces up to 20 years on each of the four counts, was arrested in April and released on $10,000 bond. An arraignment is pending.
The indictment seeks the forfeiture of the Michigan home, the engagement ring and $1.9 million.
Murtha, of Newtown, practiced law in Connecticut for 35 years. His areas of expertise included civil and criminal litigation, and real estate and family law.
The FBI and the Greenwich Police Department handled the investigation. Assistant U.S. attorneys Jennifer Laraia and David Huang are leading the prosecution.
No one from the U.S. attorney was available for comment Thursday.
Murtha was represented in the disciplinary matter by David Atkins, a member of Pullman & Comley in Bridgeport. He also wasn't available for comment Thursday.