New York Attorney Pleads Guilty to Embezzling More Than $500,000 From a Connecticut Trust

Published Nov. 6, 2026. Case status is current as of that date.

Trustees who are also lawyers hold unusual power over other people's property. On May 29, 2026, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced that Edward W. Miller, 70, of Lawrence, New York, a New York-licensed attorney, waived indictment and pleaded guilty in Bridgeport federal court to a fraud offense after embezzling more than $500,000 from a trust [1].

Status: Miller has pleaded guilty to wire fraud (maximum 20 years). Sentencing was scheduled for Aug. 13, 2026, in the May 29 release; confirm the judgment on the docket for the final sentence. He previously paid restitution of $509,372.82 in a separate civil settlement with the victims and was released on a $200,000 bond pending sentencing [1].

How the scheme worked, according to the plea

According to court documents and statements in court [1]:

1. In December 2014, "M.P." established a trust to manage real property, including a commercial building in New Canaan, Connecticut. Miller was named trustee, to collect rents, pay costs, and distribute funds to M.P., for a fee of five percent of monthly rents plus agreed lease commissions.
2. Between about February 2016 and September 2022, Miller embezzled more than $500,000 by writing unauthorized checks from the trust to himself, his law practice, and relatives, and by making unauthorized withdrawals and transfers.
3. After M.P. died in 2022, Miller made false representations to beneficiaries about the trust's assets.

The person who pleaded guilty

Edward W. Miller, 70, Lawrence, N.Y. New York-licensed attorney. Pleaded guilty to wire fraud; restitution of $509,372.82 previously paid civilly; sentencing was set for Aug. 13, 2026, as of the May 29 release [1].

Red flags for trust and estate counsel

These are general warning signs, not claims about any beneficiary in this case.

• A trustee who will not provide bank statements for the trust account.
• Checks from a trust to the lawyer's personal relatives without written authorization.
• Vague answers after a settlor's death about where the money went.

What to do

• Demand accountings in writing; consider a court petition to compel them.
• Report to the FBI at ic3.gov and your state bar.

Case status (as of Nov. 6, 2026)

Defendant	Court	Status	Source
Edward W. Miller, 70, Lawrence, N.Y.	U.S. District Court, D. Conn. (Bridgeport)	Pleaded guilty to wire fraud (announced May 29, 2026); sentencing was set for Aug. 13, 2026; civil restitution $509,372.82 previously paid	[1]

Confirm the judgment entry for the final sentence. Statuses can change, including through appeal.

Sources

1. U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Connecticut, "New York Attorney Admits Embezzling More Than $500K from Trust," May 29, 2026. https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/new-york-attorney-admits-embezzling-more-500k-trust