Town Justice, Lawyer Charged With Stealing $4M From Trusts

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Authorities say a suburban Albany town justice and a lawyer have been charged with stealing more than $4 million from the family trusts of three sisters.

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman says 57-year-old Richard Sherwood and 59-year-old Thomas Lagan were arrested Friday on charges including grand larceny and scheme to defraud.

Authorities say the men were business associates who devised a scheme to steal from trusts set up by local philanthropists Warren and Pauline Bruggeman. Schneiderman says the thefts also targeted trusts for Pauline Bruggeman's two sisters.

Sherwood is a former Guilderland town attorney who has served as town justice since 2013. Lagan is a lawyer and financial adviser.

Sherwood pleaded not guilty and was released. His lawyer isn't commenting on the charges. A message left with Lagan's lawyer wasn't returned.