Another victim found, more charges filed against Venice attorney

As officials continue to investigate fraud charges against a Venice attorney, another possible victim has been identified.

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday that Adam R. Miller was arrested after he allegedly embezzled more than $700,000 from at least four of his client’s accounts.

The latest victim was identified as a person who died in January 2014, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Records show Miller, 38, took an estimated $528,482 from several accounts for the estate of the victim between February 2014 and September 2015, according to the affidavit. The money was deposited into personal and business financial accounts held by Miller or his law office.

All accounts opened by Miller and transactions on the accounts for the victim’s estate were done after the victim’s death, according to the affidavit.

Detectives found minimal disbursements to the victim’s beneficiaries, and the remaining funds were not distributed properly, according to the affidavit.

Documents show that a cashier’s check was deposited by Miller into the victim’s account but was made out to a beneficiary on another victim’s trust.

Miller now faces an additional charge of scheming to defraud over $50,000. He has also been charged with one count of exploitation of the elderly over $50,000, two counts of scheme to defraud over $50,000 and one count of scheme to defraud between $20,000 and $40,000.

He is currently being held at the Sarasota County jail on bonds now totaling $1.7 million.

Miller is currently not allowed to post bond until he can prove that money he will use for bond comes from legitimate sources in a hearing.

The investigation is ongoing and more charges may be forthcoming, according to the sheriff’s office.

This story was originally published June 8, 2017 at 6:34 PM with the headline "Another victim found, more charges filed against Venice attorney."