First Posted: 3/23/2015
LIMA — Stephen Becker lost everything he had because of a gambling addiction. His job as an attorney for 39 years, his standing in the community, and now his freedom.
Becker will have to serve 30 days in jail on two counts of felony theft and two counts of felony falsification.
“I definitely had a good life and I was successful. I was proud of my profession and the work that I did. That’s all gone now,” Becker said.
Becker told the judge he is 65 years old and spent every penny he had saved. He now relies on his wife to support him while he is without a job living in Florida.
“I have absolutely no money,” he said. “It’s all my fault.”
Becker misappropriated hundreds of thousands of dollars entrusted to him by his elderly aunt, who died in 2008, and his severely developmentally disabled nephew. He took the money and also wrote checks to casinos, and gave some money to family and friends, according to records.
The crimes happened between April 2002 and October 2010.
While Becker reported his actions to the Ohio Supreme Court, he only did so after he was confronted by associates of his previous law firm, Huffman, Kelley, Becker & Brock in Lima (now known as Huffman, Kelley, Brock & Gottschalk). One of the theft charges is connected to the law firm alleging he stole between $1,000 and $7,500, according to records.
Becker has repaid all money he took, according to testimony. He also was placed on probation for two years and ordered to perform 80 hours of community service.
Becker was praised by his own attorney, Jim King, as well as another attorney with whom he worked for his hard work and knowledge in business and real estate law. King said Becker fell to an addiction.
“There are devils every place in this world. The ones that get you are the ones that sneak up on you,” King said. “Stephen got involved in gambling and casinos, and it took a hold of him.”
Judge Richard Markus asked Becker how he could be sure his gambling problem was behind him.
Becker said he had no money and received counseling for his problem. He also said he does not live near a casino.
“I don’t have access to money,” Becker said.
Becker’s attorney when disciplinary action was before the Ohio Supreme Court said Becker owes the IRS a considerable amount of money and was facing foreclosure on his home.
The former Lima attorney lives in Tallahassee, Florida, with his wife. His wife has an income and does not allow Becker to handle any substantial amount of money, his attorney said.
Becker became an attorney in 1975.
