Merrimack Valley

Lawrence lawyer accused of theft released without bail

By Jim Patten
Staff Writer
Published: July 16, 2008

LAWRENCE — Arthur Khoury is accustomed to standing in court with a client at his side. Yesterday, he was the client.

Khoury, 68, of 15 Bunkerhill St., was arraigned in Lawrence District Court on a single charge of larceny over $250 stemming from allegations he bilked $77,285.34 from the estate of a client who died in August of 2004.

Khoury stood with his lawyer, Robert O'Sullivan, as Judge Michael Brooks warned him not to get in further trouble while his case was pending or he could spend 60 days in jail without bail.

Brooks ordered Khoury to return to court on Sept. 5 for a pre-trial hearing.

Khoury, a well-known former state representative from Lawrence, practiced law for more than 43 years before his July 2007 suspension in connection with the theft of funds from the estate of George Abdallah of Methuen.

Khoury, once the president of the Lawrence Bar Association, was disbarred in January.

He faces up to two years in the house of correction, or up to five years in state prison and up to a $25,000 fine, if he is convicted.

Outside the courtroom, Khoury and O'Sullivan politely declined to comment on the case.

Photos

Angie Beaulieu/Staff photo

Arthur Khoury, left, the former president of the Lawrence Bar Association, appeared in court yesterday to face a charge of larceny over $250 for allegedly stealing more than $77,000 of a client's money. Khoury's lawyer, Robert O'Sullivan, is at right.