Manhattan Lawyer Admits Using a Runner

NEW YORK REGION | August 2, 2007
New York:
A Manhattan lawyer pleaded guilty yesterday in State Supreme Court to obtaining clients in personal injury cases from a go-between and lying to the state Office of Court Administration to hide the arrangement, prosecutors said. The lawyer, David Sheeger, 50, was charged with offering a false instrument for filing by paying the go-between to bribe hospital workers to obtain information about patients who had been treated for accidents, typically car accidents, said Robert M. Morgenthau, the Manhattan district attorney. The go-between, who was paid $500 per case, would contact the patients on behalf of Mr. Sheeger’s law firm, Mr. Morgenthau said. It is illegal in New York for lawyers to accept referrals from nonlawyers. Mr. Morgenthau said that Mr. Sheeger had obtained 67 cases using a go-between from April to November 2002. After his plea, Mr. Sheeger was disbarred, placed on probation and ordered to forfeit $110,000 obtained through the scheme, prosecutors said. www.NYTimes.com

Commentary: Personal injury attorney paying "runners" or "chasers" for cases: illegal and leads to fraud on a grand scale. Please hire an attorney you find yourself, through the recommendation of friends, family, or trusted professionals. For more information see my free book: GOOD LAWYERS DON’T CALL YOU FIRST available at www.GreatLegalBooks.com

Personal injury attorney paying "runners" or "chasers" for cases: illegal and leads to fraud on a grand scale. Please hire an attorney you find yourself, through the recommendation of friends, family, or trusted professionals. For more information see my free book: available at

From: Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx)