Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that attorney Patrick T. McDonald (DOB:9/22/64), with a last known address of 56 Meadow Rue Trail, Saunderstown, was sentenced to 20 years, with 4 ½ to serve and the remainder suspended with probation, for stealing approximately of $163,000 from clients during real estate closings. In addition, McDonald was ordered to pay full restitution to the three victims in the case and must undergo alcohol counseling. He is currently on home confinement and was ordered to report to the Adult Correctional Institution on June 1, 2014.
McDonald was found guilty by a jury in January of three counts of embezzlement and one count of conspiracy in a trial presided over by Superior Court Justice Brian P. Stern. During the course of the week-long trial, the State proved beyond a reasonable doubt that McDonald, a real estate attorney, stole monies from clients he was representing during real estate closings and used the funds for his own benefit. The State proved that McDonald used funds in escrow to pay operating expenses for his law office, house expenses, and dinners and hotel stays for himself and his mistress, employee and co-conspirator Kimberly Gostomski.
"McDonald traded on his good standing in the community to steal from clients who entrusted him with their hard-earned money," said Attorney General Peter Kilmartin. "His actions are not only criminal, but also disheartening as he, above others, took an oath as an attorney to uphold the law and to be above reproach. He destroyed his reputation and the trust of his community to live an adulterous and corrupt lifestyle."
The case was investigated by the Rhode Island State Police, led by Lori Tellier, an investigator with the Financial Crimes Unit. Assistant Attorney General and Chief of the White Collar Crime Unit Ronald R. Gendron prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.