A former Arbroath solicitor has been accused of embezzling more than half a million pounds from his clients.
Graeme Stark Herald, 55, of Hawthornbank Lane, Edinburgh, is due to appear in court on Thursday in connection with the charges that he “appropriated” money amounting to a total of £507,074 from various clients over a six-year-period.
Included among the charges is that monies amounting to more than £85,000 is related to the estates of four dead clients, Dundee Sheriff Court heard.
Herald denies that, between October 12 2001 and October 6 2006, while acting as a solicitor and partner in Herald & Co, 85 High Street, Arbroath, at their premises and elsewhere, while acting with another, he appropriated money and embezzled money belonging to clients amounting to £570,074.47.
It is alleged he took sums ranging between £2,000 and £90,000 from 14 clients.
The charge states the cash had been deposited with the firm by clients “in pursuance of their legal affairs”.
Herald pled not guilty to the embezzlement charge on Monday and the matter was adjourned until Thursday after solicitor Gary McIlravey asked for a further pre-trial hearing as various defence issues were still to be fully concluded.
Sheriff Richard Davidson ordered Herald to appear on Thursday.