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A former New Jersey assistant prosecutor and lawyer who was disbarred three years ago is facing charges after authorities say he misrepresented himself as a licensed attorney and collected thousands of dollars in legal fees.

In an Oct. 8 news release, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office said David Schlendorf is charged with theft by deception and unauthorized practice of law.

Prosecutors allege that the 54-year-old was retained to represent a Toms River resident last March and received $10,000 for his services. Further investigation revealed Schlendorf was disbarred in New Jersey in December 2022 for misappropriating client funds and therefore posing as an attorney, authorities said.

After being admitted to the bar 32 years ago, Schlendorf served as assistant prosecutor at Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office from 1997 to 1999. He was also an assistant prosecutor in the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office from 2000 to 2003, according to his LinkedIn.

He then went on to open a Toms River-based practice. That firm focused on civil law, criminal defense and family law issues in New Jersey, New York and Washington, D.C., his page says.

Disbarred in DC, NY

Now a resident of Holladay, Utah, Schlendorf turned himself into authorities Oct. 7. He was remanded to Ocean County jail after his arrest. According to Patch, he was released after a detention hearing.

Attorney information for Schlendorf was not immediately available.

In 2023, his license to practice in D.C. was permanently pulled due to his disbarment in New Jersey. Last year, he was disbarred in New York after admitting to the “knowing misappropriation of client funds.”

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said anyone else who paid Schlendorf for legal services after December 2022 should call:

• Detective Jason Putkowski or the Toms River Police Department at: 732-349-0150, ext. 1349; or
• Sgt. Lindsay Llauget of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027, ext. 3462.

See also:

• Authorities: Disbarred NJ lawyer stole $130K from dead client’s estate
• Disbarred Closter attorney gets 54 months in prison