El Cajon
An El Cajon attorney convicted of embezzling more than $16,000 from a client was ordered Wednesday to pay the woman back, plus interest amounting to another $16,000.
Thomas Dale Parker, 54, was placed on five years’ probation by San Diego Superior Court Judge Alfred Lord for his grand theft conviction. No jail time was imposed.
The victim, Minnie Pearles Valdez, formerly of Lemon Grove, was present for the sentencing of her former attorney, who could be disbarred because of his felony conviction.
Lord ordered the release of the $16,162.27 to Valdez. The money was turned in by Parker last year and kept as evidence by the court.
Deputy District Attorney Don Canning said Parker had kept the $16,162.27 in an envelope and had turned it in during proceedings against him.
Lord ordered Parker to pay $16,162.27 in restitution to Valdez in a dispute that stemmed from 1977, when Valdez was unable to collect funds from a trust account Parker had set up for her.
Lord estimated that interest from 1977 would amount to an additional $16,000, and he ordered that payments of $500 monthly begin in two months.
Lord ordered Parker to perform 2,000 hours of community service work or pay an additional fine of $7,600.
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