The Oregon State Bar is tapping into a special fund to compensate seven former clients who were allegedly defrauded by a Bend Attorney. Bryan Greutter is accused of bilking clients out of hundred of thousands of dollars in settlement money.
The Bar had been investigating Greutter for multiple ethics violations. He tendered his resignation with the Bar in April. Karla Houtary is a spokeswoman for the Oregon State Bar. She says $173,000 will be paid out from the Bar’s Client Security Fund.
"The money comes from a fee that's assessed every year on the membership. So it's part of their annual bar dues," says Houtary.
31 clients have filed claims against Gruetter totalling more than $750,000. Houtary says the Bar will process more claims as they are investigated. Some of Greutter's former clients might still come up short. The fund places a $50,000 cap on individual claims.
