LA Divorce Attorney Charged with Allegedly Embezzling $4.8M in Client Funds

An inactive Los Angeles divorce attorney has been charged with allegedly stealing about $4.8 million from a client trust account and then filing a false bank statement to cover up the theft, officials announced Thursday.

Evie Peifang Jeang, 47, of Alhambra is charged with one count each of grand theft, grand theft by embezzlement, preparing false documentary evidence and perjury by declaration, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney George GascÃ3n.

It is further alleged that Jeang engaged in aggravated white-collar crime.

"Attorneys who misappropriate client funds not only violate their client's trust but undermine the integrity of the entire legal profession and legal system," GascÃ3n said in a statement. "Attorneys have an inviolate duty to their clients and a professional responsibility to act ethically to uphold our laws. Our office is committed to holding attorneys who break the law fully accountable."

Jeang's legal counsel did not immediately respond to a call for comment.

Prosecutors say the charges stem from a divorce proceeding where Jeang represented the husband and allegedly stole about $4.8 million from her client trust account between September 2015 and May 2017.

The funds from the sale of property were entrusted to Jeang for distribution to her client and his then-wife. In November 2021, Jeang allegedly prepared and filed a falsified bank statement in Superior Court to cover up the theft.

Jeang is in custody on $150,000 bail and arraignment will be scheduled at a later date.

If convicted as charged, Jeang faces up to eight years, eight months in state prison, according to the District Attorney's Office.

Jeang's law license was placed on inactive status by the State Bar of California in June after the agency filed disciplinary charges against her, alleging that she "engaged in a major misappropriation of client funds."