Disbarred attorney gets probation in theft case

Thursday, Oct. 21, 1999 | 11:36 a.m.

The life of attorney Christopher Maglaras already had crashed because of an apparent gambling addiction that resulted in his taking $180,000 that belonged to his clients.

Wednesday's sentencing on two felony counts of theft added a public reprimand from District Judge John McGroarty before Maglaras received probation rather than a prison term.

Maglaras already has been disbarred from the practice of law, lost his family to divorce and is saddled with a huge debt he will have a hard time repaying. His attorney, Michael Amador, said the man's "livelihood is now physical labor."

As part of probation, Maglaras is being required to repay $56,000 of what he took. One of his victims fumed on the witness stand that Maglaras is "a disgrace to the legal profession" and should be imprisoned.

But McGroarty decided that probation was appropriate with requirements that the defendant also stay away from drinking and gambling.

Maglaras declined to speak at the hearing.

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