They came to him to settle with the IRS, but this disbarred Tri-City lawyer stole their money

KENNEWICK, WA -- A disbarred Tri-City lawyer could go to jail after admitting he pocketed clients’ money instead of paying their owed back taxes or returning refunds.

Christopher Lee Neal, 45, lost his law license for good this past February following a lengthy investigation by the Washington State Bar Association.

Last week, he pleaded guilty in Benton County Superior Court to two counts of first-degree theft, which include the aggravating circumstance of being a major economic offense.

Neal was in a wheelchair for the brief hearing.

Read more: https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/crime/article218822675.html