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Disgraced Vernon lawyer misappropriated $116K from elderly client with dementia
The Law Society said Leonard Hil Marriott used the money for a Vernon condo and took steps to gain control of the client’s property and estate.
- The Law Society published a finding on September 24 that former Vernon lawyer Leonard Hil Marriott misappropriated $116,000 from an elderly client suffering from progressive dementia.
- Acting as power of attorney since 2018, Marriott used the funds to purchase a condo, secured 50 per cent ownership of the client's $385,000 property, and altered her will to make himself beneficiary of 75 per cent of her estate.
- Marriott argued the misconduct was an "improper withdrawal of trust funds," but the Law Society rejected this, stating the actions constituted misappropriation and were "tantamount to theft."
- Previously, the Law Society sanctioned Marriott with a 10-year ban in February 2025 for a "litany of mistakes" in property transfers, ending his operation of North Valley Law in Vernon, Armstrong, and Enderby.
- The client's family filed a civil suit in B.C. Supreme Court in 2024, while court filings show Marriott owed the Canada Revenue Agency over $181,500 as of May 8, 2024.
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Leaning Left13Leaning Right0Center0Last UpdatedBias Distribution100% Left
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