Boston Lawyer Sentenced to Prison for Stealing Over $2 Million from Clients

A Boston-area lawyer, Patrick J. Dolan, has been sentenced to 39 months in federal prison for defrauding two clients of over $2 million. The sentencing took place on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Boston federal court, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office .

Details of the Fraud

U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton sentenced Dolan, 60, of North Attleboro and Haverhill, to 39 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release. In addition to the prison sentence, Dolan was ordered to pay over $2 million in restitution and a money judgment exceeding $2 million .

Dolan pleaded guilty in October to four counts of wire fraud after being charged in July . The scheme to defraud his clients occurred between November 2018 and November 2024, during which time Dolan misused funds entrusted to him .

Misappropriation of Funds

Dolan stole over $2 million held in escrow for a family trust lawsuit he was representing a party in. He used these stolen funds for personal and family expenses, including transfers to shell companies, mortgage payments, tuition, student loan payments, and personal purchases , .

He also misappropriated at least $87,500 from a supplemental needs trust established for another client, using the money as a down payment on a property in Haverhill, where he resided with his family , .

False Statements and Records

Dolan further compounded the fraud by making false statements to clients and others regarding the stolen funds, and by falsifying bank statements and accounting records .

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristina E. Barclay of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Division prosecuted the case .