N.Y. Dept., Albany County D.A. Announce Arrest of Albany Lawyer

New York Superintendent of Insurance Gregory Serio and Albany County District Attorney Paul Clyne announced the arrest of Leonard Krouner Esq., 55, of Loudonville, N.Y., for reportedly fraudulently obtaining disability benefits. He surrendered himself on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 to Albany City Court and was charged with Insurance Fraud in the Second degree, two counts of Grand Larceny in the fourth degree, two Counts of Insurance Fraud in the fourth Degree, three Counts Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree and three Counts of Workers Compensation Fraud.

It is alleged that Krouner claimed to be too disabled to work due to a bad back and fraudulently obtained $92,666.74 from UNUM Provident Corporation, $3,000 from CNA Insurance and $1,575 from Combined Life Insurance Company of New York. The investigation revealed that Krouner reportedly was actually outside counsel for a Connecticut Company called PHIBRO in Westport, Connecticut, doing appellate work for various law firms across the state and employed as a lawyer by numerous private citizens. In addition, he was an Impartial Hearing Officer for 26 different School Districts.

On Feb. 11, he pleaded not guilty before City Court Judge John Egan Jr. If convicted of these charges Krouner faces up to a maximum of 25 years in prison.