Attorney who spent $187G of client’s settlement sentenced, DA says

A Jericho attorney who spent $187,000 of her client’s lawsuit settlement funds on personal expenses and luxury items, including a BMW, was sentenced to 3 1/3 to 10 years in prison Tuesday, Nassau authorities said.

Nancy Enoksen, 49, of Islip, who was convicted on Jan. 29 of second-degree grand larceny, was sentenced by Nassau County Court Judge Howard Sturim, was also ordered her to pay restitution to her victim.

“This unscrupulous attorney stole her client’s money to pay for shopping sprees and a luxury car,” Nassau District Attorney Madeline Singas said. “This sentence, and our success prosecuting more than 20 attorneys for misconduct since 2012, sends a strong message that lawyers who victimize their clients will face serious consequences.”

“Ms. Enoksen’s notice of appeal has been filed,” said her attorney Michael Alber of Commack. “She is going to appeal the case and we’re going to let the appellate process play out.”

Prosecutors said that Enoksen had convinced her client, a Bellmore woman who had been awarded $400,000 in settlement funds in a case unrelated to Enoksen, to deposit the funds in an escrow account to which Enoksen had access.

Enoksen had represented the victim in several personal matters starting in November 2008.

Prosecutors said in a news release that, “Between August 19, 2013 and April 30, 2014, Enoksen withdrew more than $187,000 from the escrow account, without the permission or knowledge of her client, and used the money to continue her law practice and for personal expenses including trips to Canada, BMW car payments, and for shopping at Lord & Taylor and Macy’s.”