LONGVIEW (KYTX) - A former Longview attorney pled guilty Wednesday to misappropriation of funds and received a maximum 10-year prison sentence, plus 10 additional years' probation and more than $467,000 in restitution to his victims.
James David Robertson, 59, admitted to two separate indictments of misappropriating at least $20,000 in money and assets from at least a dozen people between August 2005 and December 2009. He received prison time on one conviction, and he received probation and restitution fines on another charge. He must serve his prison time before beginning probation.
According to the indictment, Robertson is accused of failing to deliver at least $20,000 to Roger and Ellen Chandler; and misapplied money for several other alleged victims, placing some victims at a "substantial risk of loss" of property. Grand jurors issued an indictment in March 2011.
Joe Clayton, a retired visiting judge from Tyler, sentenced Robertson, after district judges Alfonso Charles and David Brabham recused themselves from the case. Robertson was also fined $467,479.69 in restitution.
Robertson had characterized the allegations as misunderstandings.
