A former DeKalb County prosecutor who once hoped to become a judge will spend the next 20 years in prison. Teresa Darwin Phillips, 43, of Sylvania, was convicted of accessing, stealing and disbursing approximately $250,000 from multiple of her clients.

Attorney General Steve Marshall announced the news on Monday.

“Trust is the basis of the attorney-client relationship. Once a lawyer has gained the trust of a client, especially an elderly client, he or she has a duty to that client of utmost honesty and loyalty.” Marshall said. “When you see a betrayal of trust on such a large scale, it's no surprise that the justice system would react harshly. Our team took note of that.”

“This case should serve as a further warning to attorneys across the state who are taking advantage of vulnerable clients. You will be found and held accountable.”

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A 2020 investigation led by the DeKalb County District Attorney's Office uncovered a scheme in which a former attorney used for personal gain funds given to him by clients and other seniors for whom he had been appointed legal guardian or conservator. Ta.

DeKalb District Attorney Summer Summerford said her office will never tolerate anyone targeting vulnerable people.

“Our community deserves lawyers who take their jobs seriously and do their jobs with honesty and integrity,” Summerford said. “My office opposes the intentional and deliberate targeting of vulnerable people who seek legal help in their time of need. Although it does not replace it, we hope it will bring an end to this long litigation and deter other lawyers from making the same mistakes.”

Mr. Phillips previously pleaded guilty to nine felonies on November 7, 2022.

Austin Shipley is a staff writer at Yellowhammer News.