Victims of attorney to share $200K award
Financial relief is finally coming for some of the victims of a former Columbus attorney who stole money from his court-appointed wards.
More than $200,000 is being awarded collectively to 35 former wards of Paul S. Kormanik, who was the subject of a five-part Dispatch investigative series that prompted changes in the state’s guardianship system. If dispersed evenly, each former ward would receive a bit more than $5,700.
The money will be paid out of the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection, which was established in 1985 to protect clients from exploitive practices by attorneys. All active attorneys pay into the fund through fees associated with the profession. Previously, two claims brought forward by Kormanik wards were reimbursed a total of $28,057.11 by the board.
“These situations can chip away at the public’s faith in the fiduciary responsibilities that wards entrust to their guardians, some of whom are attorneys,” said Janet Green Marbley, administrator of the fund. “It’s important for the public to understand that the fund can help rebuild that trust by reimbursing wards affected by the dishonest conduct of an attorney.”
The Columbus Bar Association brought 15 charges of misconduct against Kormanik, who forfeited his law license. Over the years he amassed about 400 court-appointed wards.
In court proceedings, Kormanik pleaded guilty to four counts of theft from an elderly or disabled person, one count of theft and five counts of tampering with records.
Kormanik was found dead in 2015 of apparent suicide. He was set to appear in court later that day to face contempt of court charges after failing to pay back one of his wards.
The Dispatch series invoked sweeping changes in the state’s guardianship system. The “Unguarded” series caused probate judges who award guardianships, state legislators and the Ohio Supreme Court to enact reforms.
Additionally, Attorney General Mike DeWine issued guidelines in a handbook that is required to be available to every guardian in Ohio.
A guardian is appointed by a probate court to manage care for the affairs of a minor or incompetent adult. Being designated a guardian or ward is “one of the most restrictive protective services available under Ohio law,” according to DeWine’s handbook. Whitney/ girl, June 17 Keela/ June 21 Patience and Cody: boy, June 21 June 23 Katie/ boy, June 20 22 June 22 June 20 Ellen/ Nikki/ Omar: girl, June 25 June 26
Ashleigh/ Jordan: boy, June 22 Jennifer/ boy, June 16 Rachael/ boy, June 16 Aaron: Philip: girl, Jennifer and Levi: girl, David:
Whittney and Brad: girl, June 21 Yanaija/ boy, June 24 Emily and Nick: boy, May Richard: Durga and Bhim: girl, June 27 Jeremy: boy, Crystal and Ralph: girl,
Ashley and John: boy, June 23 Nar and Narad: boy, Crystal and Adam: girl, June 27 Sridevi/ Balarama Krishna: boy, June 12 Autumn and Kevin: boy, June 22 Portia/ girl, June 16 Heather and Chad: boy, June 9
Elaine/ Adonus:
Nick: boy, June 23
Josie and Jason: boy, June 18 Holly and Dave: boy, Nevika/ girl, June 16 Sarah and Robert: boy, June 19 Colleen/ boy, June 16 Cortney and Scott: girl, June 22 Antonio: Andrew:
Michelle and Nicholas: boy, June 13 Leslie and Jamaal: boy, June 16 Kristin/ girl, June 22 Kyonna: girl, June 12 Kesha and Jonathan: boy, June 19 Carissa and Aaron: girl, June 17 Elizabeth: girl, June 21 Laterra/ Joseph: boy, June 24 Jasarah/ girl, June 16 Justina and Linus: girl, June 17 Brian: Larry: Laurie/ boy, June 26 Chelsea and Larry: boy, June 22 Johnny:
Stephanie and Kyle: girl, June 18 Jessica and Jared: girl, June 23 Lindsay and Nick: girl, June 24 Dana/ June 23 Tasha/ June 19 Danielle/ girl, June 19 Rebecca and Sean: boy, June 22 a.m.-7 p.m. Collin: boy, Frankie: girl, Juan: Sarah and Jeremy: boy, June 22
Erin/ Tyson: twins, boy and girl, May 23 Danielle/ boy, June 16 Angela and Matthew: girl, June 9 Aisha/ June 22 Durrell: Michael: girl, Haylee/ girl, May 20 Amber/ Mathew: boy, June 15 Gina/ boy, June 22 Kalee and Andrew: boy, David: Cody: April 29
Nikki and Josh: boy, June 20 Crystal/ Donald: boy, June 20 Ashleigh and Nick: girl, June 19 Yajun and Yao: girl, May 25 Miao/ Ruoyan: girl, May 17 The American Red Cross has an ongoing need for donors of all blood types, especially type O negative. Donors can call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-7332767) or go to redcrossblood. org to schedule an appointment. Walk-in donors also are welcome. Blood drives are open today at:
555 Borror Drive, 7