A fugitive disbarred attorney from Huntington wanted for stealing more than $200,000 from his clients in 2007 has been apprehended in Wyoming, authorities said.
Edward Christensen was extradited back to Nassau County this week after he was arrested Oct. 4 for hitchhiking in Laramie County, Wyo.
The 61-year-old pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges of grand larceny and scheme to defraud. A judge set his bail at $100,000 bond or $50,000 cash.
Prosecutors said Christensen was hired to represent a Suffolk County property owner in a disputed real estate deal in November 2007. Parties on both sides placed $1 million into an escrow account controlled by Christensen while they worked out an agreement, prosecutors said.
Three other clients also had money in Christensen’s escrow account, prosecutors said. Christensen allegedly stole $211,000 from the account for personal expenses, utility bills and rent between January 2008 and October 2008 before he disappeared.
A Nassau County grand jury indicted Christensen in October 2009 and a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was disbarred the following month, according to the New York State Office of Court Administration.
Christensen faces up to 15 years in prison. He is due back in court Nov. 9.