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Attorney in embezzlement case pled guilty on Friday

By Howard B. Owens
      Randolph Zickl

Updated at 2:22 p.m.

Randolph Zickl, the 81-year-old attorney, charged with grand larceny 2nd for stealing $75,000 from a former client, pled guilty to the charge in County Court on Friday, The Batavian has learned.

Since police departments only release information on arrests, and not court activity, that information wasn't available in the initial press release.

The guilty plea was uncovered by our news partner 13WHAM in a conversation with the Erie County District Attorney's Office and confirmed by The Batavian through a local source. 

Zickl will be sentenced Sept. 20.

Through court sources, 13WHAM learned that Zickl's victim was the widow of a client who died and Zickl handled the estate. He reportedly double-billed the client and then continued to withdraw money from the victim's account over a three-year (not two as previously reported) period.

If Zickl is able to make full restitution by Sept. 20, he will likely receive a probationary sentence.

He also resigned from the New York State Bar Association.

Because Zickl has two sons working the Genesee County District Attorney's Office, the Erie County office handled the prosecution and Zickl appeared in Genesee County Court, but an Erie County judge presided over the case.

Previously: Respected local attorney accused of stealing from elderly client

Brian Graz

Ya know, when ever anyone steals from, or defrauds another individual, [especially for a substantial amount of money] it should be a serious offense. But when the crook is from the top income bracket in the community [lawyer] along with the egregious violation being perpetrated by this legal representative against a victim who was trusting him to manage their personal affairs... and now the judiciary system is saying that if restitution is made the perpetrator will ONLY get "probation"???!!!!!!

Then factor in that the perp has two sons working in the Genesee County DAs office... Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Maybe we need Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman to take a look at wheelings and dealings in Genesee County.

Jul 1, 2016, 12:47am Permalink
Howard B. Owens

It's not unusual at all for first-time offenders of any background, even from the most humble, to get probation if restitution has been made. Any other sentence would get thrown out on appeal as too harsh, for anybody.

Not unusual, unless you're in favor of big government and driving up taxes to house more prisoners.

Jul 1, 2016, 7:17pm Permalink
Brian Graz

Neither Skelos or Silver were offered probation. In fact any plea deals were only suggested and never followed thru. BTW, in another case ex-Assemblyman William Scarborough was sentenced to 13 months in prison and fined over $100,000 for a much lesser crime. He stole $38,000 from his campaign finance fund. He plead guilty, apologized, and even had several letters from constituents begging for leniency.

I still maintain that there was some questionable deal going on here with Mr. Zickl.

Jul 2, 2016, 1:19pm Permalink
Ed Hartgrove

Brian. I'm not trying to tell you what to do. Please consider this just a helpful suggestion.

Whenever I give my "opinion""on something, I have TRY to remember to include the word(s) "think", or "believe", or "In my opinion" somewhere in the text. [Example: I think there was something underhanded going on in this case.]

That way, you protect yourself from any (possible) lawsuit that might be brought for "defamation", "lible", etc.

After all, nobody but you could say what you "think".

Just trying to save you some (possible) headache. We all have opinions, but, best to be safe from lawsuits when expressing them.

Jul 2, 2016, 2:13pm Permalink

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