pMichael S. Margulies, a prominent Twin Cities real estate lawyer and recently resigned member of the St. Paul Planning Commission, was forced to withdraw as partner of Minneapolis law firm Lindquist amp; Vennum after the firm claimed he engaged in professional misconduct. /ppThe firm's investigation uncovered the fact that (Margulies) had misappropriated significant sums from a limited number of clients and from the firm, said Daryle Uphoff, managing partner of Lindquist amp; Vennum, in a written statement. /ppThe statement came Friday, the same day Margulies, 56, of St. Paul, and his personal company, Triad Services, were sued in Ramsey County District Court by a real estate development company for which he had worked as an attorney, secretary and treasurer. /ppIn the lawsuit, CMB Minnetonka LLC alleged that Margulies made numerous illicit withdrawals from CMB's bank account and line of credit at Highland Bank and used the money — $1.5 million or more — for his own purposes. /ppSpecifically, the suit claims Margulies spent the money to overhaul the historic mansion at 516 Summit Ave. in St. Paul that he owned with his former wife. /ppIt's a matter of somebody getting way out of line with the authority they were given as a lawyer, said Douglas Elsass, attorney for CMB. /p |
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