Lawyer awaits sentencing on embezzlement charges

Monday, March 15, 1999 | 10:06 a.m.

Steven Charles Bale, 41, faces up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine when he's sentenced by Washoe District Judge Steven Elliott.

Bale has surrendered his license and will never practice law again, said his lawyer, Dennis Widdis.

Deputy District Attorney Ron Gunning said justice would be better served by putting Bale on probation and requiring restitution to the estate.

Bale can repay the money because he's the controller of a small Reno company, Gunning said. Bale could be sent to prison if he failed to make restitution.

Gunning said Bale embezzled money from the estate of Virginia Morris of Reno over a 15-month period ending in 1997. She died in 1994.

Bale claimed he had "borrowed" the money from the estate account after he became overwhelmed by personal debt. But he didn't repay the money.

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