BY KEITH EPPS
A former local attorney was indicted on criminal charges yesterday in Stafford Circuit Court.
Owaiian Maurice Jones, 47, was directly indicted by a Stafford grand jury on three counts of embezzlement.
Details were sketchy yesterday regarding exactly what Jones is alleged to have done and how much money is involved.
But the three indictments handed down yesterday list the dates of the offenses as being between January 2007 and Sept. 26, 2008.
The indictments list the names of 12 victims, all former clients of Jones. The paperwork also uses the term "and others" following the listed names.
Prosecutor Jim Peterson declined to discuss the case yesterday.
Jones practiced law in the Fredericksburg area for a number of years until his license was revoked Sept. 26.
Jones provided a variety of legal services, including criminal defense, real estate and family law.
Jones was initially suspended June 27 of last year, court records show. He stated at that time that he had more than 200 active clients.
The suspension was supposed to last 18 months, but the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board met again in September after Jones failed to comply with its directives from the first hearing.
Among other things, court records state, Jones failed to notify his clients about his suspension
Many of his clients were surprised to find his office closed and his telephone disconnected, without their affairs being tended to, court records show.
The bar also received inquiries from lawyers and judges regarding pending cases in which Jones was still listed as the counsel of record.
Jones did not attend the Sept. 26 hearing before the disciplinary board, nor was he represented.
Each of the embezzlement charges carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Jones had not been arrested as of yesterday.
Keith Epps: 540/374-5404
Email: kepps@freelancestar.com