A New York attorney has been sentenced to eight months in federal prison for embezzling more than $500,000 from a trust that oversaw real property in Connecticut, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut said.
Edward W. Miller, 71, of Lawrence, New York, was ordered by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to serve the prison term followed by one year of supervised release.
Trust role and responsibilities
According to prosecutors, an individual identified as M.P. established a trust to manage a commercial building in New Canaan and collect its rental income.
Miller was named trustee of the arrangement, referred to as the M.P. Trust, and was directed to open a trust bank account to manage the property's finances. Those duties included depositing rental income from the building, paying costs tied to managing the building, and distributing funds to M.P. He was also responsible for overseeing maintenance of the property.
The trust provided that Miller would be paid five percent of total monthly rents collected, along with any agreed-upon commissions for new tenant leases and renewals.
Diverted funds
From early 2016 through September 2022, prosecutors said, Miller diverted funds by issuing checks to himself, his law firm and relatives, and by making direct unauthorized transfers.
After M.P.'s death in 2022, Miller provided false information to heirs about the location and handling of the remaining assets.
Plea and restitution
Miller pleaded guilty to wire fraud on May 29th, 2026, and later satisfied a civil judgment by paying $509,372.82 in full restitution.
He remains free on a $200,000 bond and must report to prison on January 11th.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the inquiry. Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang prosecuted the case.
