OXFORD – A Woodbury attorney was arrested Thursday on federal on charges he stole $1.8 million from the estate of Oxford woman.
Federal authorities said Peter Clark, 57 of Woodbury, was arrested on a criminal complaint charging him with stealing more than $1.8 million from the estate of Miriam Strong who died in 2010.
He appeared in Federal court in New Haven.
Clark is the lawyer for the estate of Strong, a longtime resident and town employee, who left $1.8 million to the town. The funds were meant, in part, for a new library.
Prosecutors said at the time of her death, Strong had a will which left money and property to individuals, the town of Oxford, the State of Connecticut, and several religious and other charities. In addition, she left instructions to create a scholarship fund for college-bound students from Oxford. Officials said as Strong’s attorney, he drafted the will and served as a witness. He and another person were co-executors. Prosecutors said Clark took at least $1.8 million from Strong’s estate for his own use.
Clark was charged with one count of mail fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. Bond was set at $500,000.
In March, Lt. Paul Vance of the Connecticut State Police said investigators were looking into the missing money.
According to state records, Clark has multiple citations against him and has been disciplined for misconduct in the past.
