How Low Is The Bar?

The Boston Globe ran a story about retired lawyer, Robert M. Mardirosian, who received stolen paintings, including a Cezanne, from a client in 1979. His client was later murdered, so Mardirosian did some research and learned that the paintings were not insured. He would not receive a reward if he returned them. Rather than do the right thing and return them to the owner anyway, Mardirosian set up an elaborate network, including creating a shell company, to attempt to sell the paintings for personal gain. Now, he is still fighting in court for a 10% commission (for doing the right thing?!). I think he is entitled to 10 years in prison for receiving stolen property and then trying to profit from it.

What’s hard for me to fathom is why the Bar Association is letting this go unchecked. Mr. Mardirosian was a member of the Bar while attempting to profit from the stolen paintings. I don’t think there should be a statute of limitations for members of the Bar, who use their position to illegally benefit as Mardirosian did in this case. They are charged with upholding the integrity of our legal system. If they abuse that oath, then they should be held accountable for the crime. The legal system should not be used as a get rich quick scheme.