Disbarred Lawyer Sentenced

A disbarred Haddon Heights, N.J., lawyer was sentenced Friday for embezzling millions from inheritances and accounts entrusted to him.

Dennis O'Brien was sentenced to 18 years behind bars and the judge said he must serve at least 8 years.

O'Brien pleaded guilty last year to embezzling $2.5 million while on probation for a similar crime.

More than 30 victims in the case trusted O'Brien to manage their life savings. Many of them lost everything, including their homes. Several of the victims and their friends spoke out in court before the sentencing.

"There is a line of victims that Dennis has hurt. If you just give him one year for every victim without parole, I think it would satisfy everyone," said George Stone, a victim's friend.

The prosecution said O'Brien stole from innocent people. O'Brien apologized in court to his victims. He said that, early on, when things began to go wrong, he thought he could fix the problem, calling it a 'pride of sin.'

"I just wish, the only hope that I have is that someday in my life I will have the opportunity to make amends to you, or to others or to help others. I just pray and wish that that opportunity will come," O'Brien said.

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