Edward Nowakoski, former treasurer to the Southwest Riverside County Bar Association, pleaded guilty to two felony counts of grand theft relating to embezzlement of $562,854 from the bar association and a client May 20.
Nowakoski joined the state bar in 1987.
Nowakoski has not responded to a request for comment.
The California Supreme Court disbarred Nowakoski Aug. 26, on recommendation of the State Bar, after finding he embezzled $394,681 from a living trust.
The State Bar investigation into him took five months.
Following his disbarment, the bar association removed Nowakoski as treasurer and discovered he was embezzling from their membership dues and networking events accounts, according to the Riverside County district attorney’s office.
The district attorney’s office filed criminal charges against Nowakoski Sept. 2. They alleged two counts of grand theft over $950, one count of perjury and three counts of money laundering with one enhancement for fraud and embezzlement.
The plea deal lands Nowakoski guilty of the two counts of grand theft, according to the district attorney’s office.
He was sentenced to three years of felony probation, according to the office.
Case info
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department led the investigation.
Deputy District Attorney David Allen of the financial crimes unit prosecuted.
Trent Packer of Riverside’s Grech & Packer defended.
Case number RIF2103763.
State bar case number 21-O-30184.
