CHARLESTON — A former employee of a Charleston law firm has been sentenced to federal prison for mail fraud.
Robert Casdorph, 58, who was employed by a Charleston law firm, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison and restitution in the amount of $134,755.44 to the law firm and real estate company he was previously employed with.
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District Mike Stuart announced the sentencing June 28.
"Cases like these literally defy explanation," Stuart said in a statement. "Casdorph was trusted by his employer to the level that he was even promoted to help manage the company’s money."
Stuart said instead of returning that trust with honest, hard work, Casdorph devised a terrible scheme to steal for one reason—personal greed.
"Returning trust by biting the hand that feeds you," Stuart said. "Makes no sense. We prosecute cases like these to the fullest extent of the law."
Casdorph previously worked at the unnamed law firm and land company as a runner. In 2011, he was internally promoted to receive accounts and help manage money.
Casdorph devised a scheme to defraud the law firm by including personal bills within the bills that the law firm was required to pay.
Casdorph would present a check for a signature that included both the law firm/land company bill and his personal bills totaled together, including electricity, water, cell phone, state and local taxes and credit card bills.
Casdorph would then place the check in the mail.
The scheme went on for four years, lasting through 2016, according to Stuart,
Casdorph also used firm monies to renovate his home and forged the name of a law firm member on three checks and gave the checks to local vendors.
The total financial loss to the law firm and real estate company was at least $134, 755.44. Casdorph is no longer employed by the law firm/land company.
United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing and Assistant U.S. Attorney Erik S. Goes handled the prosecution.