Lawyer Who Stole Money From Clients to Fuel Gambling Addiction Reinstated

DES MOINES, Iowa (Associated Press) — The Iowa Supreme Court has decided to let an attorney who took more than $99,000 from a client resume practicing law.

The Des Moines Register reports that the justices ruled unanimously to reinstate Michael Reilly's law license. The court ruling released Friday said Reilly had worked hard to overcome a gambling addiction that led to the theft. Several western Iowa lawyers had written letters vouching for his character.

Reilly lost his license in 2006, after authorities learned that Reilly had taken settlement money given a family he'd represented in a lawsuit over an injury to a young boy.

Before he can practice law again, Reilly will have to finish 30 hours of continuing legal education and pass an ethics exam.