Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita, III announced that 45 year old former attorney, David Widenor, of 466 Linwood Avenue, Buffalo, pleaded guilty, as charged, to Grand Larceny in the Third Degree before County Court Judge Michael Pietruszka.  This was the highest charge for which the defendant could have been convicted had he gone to trial.  In other words, Widenor was prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. 

Widenor admitted that between April 1, 2013 and October 31, 2013, he represented Electrolink Systems, Ltd. in a lawsuit against Vocal Technologies, Ltd. in United States Federal Court, Western District of New York.  Widenor received $22,000.00 to be held in his escrow account pending the matter being settled, at which time the funds were to be forwarded to his clients.  The settlement agreement was never signed and the funds were never forwarded to his clients, meaning the funds were still the property of Vocal Technologies, Ltd.  A total of $18,550.00 was used for his own personal use, including paying for his children’s education. 

Widenor faces a maximum prison term of 2-1/3 to 7 years when he is sentenced before Judge Pietruszka on July 14, 2014.  As a matter of law, Widenor is disbarred from the practice of law as of today’s date. 

The case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Brian P. Dassero who is assigned to DA Sedita’s Financial Crimes Bureau.