Lawyer Pleads Innocent to Stealing From Client
A Woodland Hills attorney accused of pocketing $240,000 from the sale of a client’s property pleaded not guilty to a grand theft charge Monday in Van Nuys Municipal Court.
Bernard Krentzin, 49, surrendered to David R. Disco, assistant head deputy district attorney in Van Nuys courts, for arraignment.
Municipal Court Commissioner Patricia G. Schwartz released Krentzin on his own recognizance at Disco’s request and set a preliminary hearing date of June 2.
Krentzin was arrested after an investigation by the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office and the California Bar Assn. found that the attorney had sold a Woodland Hills property belonging to Paula Mintz in 1988 for $240,000 and allegedly kept the money.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Susan Schwartz said Mintz did not learn that the money was missing until December. Mintz then complained to the bar association, Schwartz said.
Krentzin’s attorney, Charles R. English, told the court Monday that his client has repaid Mintz $90,000.
If convicted, Krentzin faces up to six years in prison. He could be ordered to repay the full amount.
A state bar association investigation into the case is continuing, a bar association spokesman said.
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