Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone announced that a former attorney from Freehold, whose practice was in Old Bridge Township, was charged in the theft of $71,000 in client funds during the sale of a home located in Middlesex County.
Officials said, Mr. Bert T. Lundberg, 56, of Freehold appeared at his first virtual court appearance on a complaint charging him with one count of third-degree Misapplication of Entrusted Property and one count of third-degree Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition of Property Received.
The case is being investigated by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office following a referral from the Office of Attorney Ethics.
Official said Lundberg was charged following an investigation by Detective Andrew Winter of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.
The investigation determined Lundberg received a $71,000 down payment from the home buyers, to be held in his attorney trust account.
Following the closing on November 26, 2019, officials said the deposited money was never forwarded to the homeowners.
On March 3, 2020, Lundberg voluntarily consented to disbarment as a result of the NJ Office of Attorney Ethics Investigation.
Lundberg was admitted to the New Jersey State Bar in 1991 and his practice of law was located on Englishtown Road in Old Bridge Township.
The investigation is active and is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Andrew Winter of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-3192.
As is the case with all criminal defendants, the charges against Lundberg are merely accusations and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.