Boise Attorney Disbarred For Fraud, Theft

The Idaho Supreme Court has disbarred a Boise attorney who pleaded guilty to taking accepting clients when his law license was suspended.

Rick Bergesen was disbarred earlier this month and cannot seek re-admission to the Idaho State Bar for five years.

Ada County prosecutors allege Bergesen bilked 75-year-old client Joy L. Cassidy out of $150,000. She pleaded guilty to putting condiments into library drop boxes.

As part of a deal with prosecutors, Bergesen pleaded guilty to grand theft for taking a $1,100 retainer from a client after his license was suspended. He was sentenced to three to 10 years in prison and agreed to pay more than $150,000 in restitution.

Bergesen's attorney, Layne Davis, said his client is a pathological gambler who suffers from bipolar disorder.

Associated Press