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Thief Seeks Payback Chance

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By DAVID SOMMER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 21, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - A disbarred lawyer with a gambling addiction is taking his chances with a judge after pleading no contest to 17 counts of grand theft.

David Edward Olson, 59, had a long and successful career as a probate attorney before his inability to control his gambling habit caused him to begin robbing and cheating clients to pay off his losses, his defense attorney, Dan Rock, said last week.

"Dave Olson isn't offering any excuses, but he can give an explanation" of why he stole about $88,000 from a Virginia woman's inheritance and bilked 16 other clients of smaller sums, Rock said.

When Olson was arrested in January 2007, prosecutors estimated he had stolen a total of almost $200,000. By that time, an investigation by the Florida Bar had resulted in the permanent revocation of Olson's license to practice law.

He has been in treatment for his gambling addiction for about a year, Rock said.

In an appearance before Circuit Judge Thane Covert on Thursday, Olson decided not to fight the charges and instead pleaded no contest and will leave his punishment up to the judge.

A sentencing hearing is set for March 6.

"Mr. Olson inside a jail is would be what is expected" in a case like this, Rock said. "It's wrong, and attorneys shouldn't be doing this."

Olson and his wife own their home in the Tanglewood East subdivision free and clear. Rock said his client and longtime friend wants to pay everyone back by mortgaging the house. Some of the money has been repaid, he said.

At the March sentencing, Olson will ask for a probationary term that would include a period of house arrest, an ankle monitor, several hundred hours of community service and strict rules such as no gambling whatsoever that would carry the threat of a long prison term if broken, Rock said.

State sentencing guidelines call for about four years in prison, and the judge could stack maximum sentences for a total of 105 years behind bars.

"We just have to leave it up to the judge," Rock said. "We are trusting the system."

Several of Olson's former clients, including the woman who was out $88,000, have signed statements saying they would rather be repaid than see Olson go to prison, Rock said. Others, however, "want their pound of flesh from a spot closest to his heart," the defense attorney acknowledged.

Barbara Mullinix of Buena Vista, Va., who entrusted Olson with her mother's $88,000 estate, agreed Saturday that Olson should remain free if he repays those he stole from.

Olson has admitted his crimes, wants to make amends and has lost his lucrative career as an attorney, she said.

As for his gambling addiction, she said: "We all have problems we struggle with, so I have no particular sympathy for that."

Should Olson go to prison, he may not be able to pay restitution, Rock said. Olson's wife will not sign for a mortgage on the home they jointly own if he is not out and making enough money to cover the monthly payments, he said.

Olson currently works as a law clerk for another attorney, Rock said.

Reporter David Sommer can be reached at (727) 815-1087 or dsommer@tampatrib.com.

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