Criminal Justice
Former Attorney Sentenced to Prison for Identity Fraud in Job Applications
March 13, 2025, 9:00 am CDT
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In a notable case from Ohio, Richard Louis Crosby III, a 37-year-old former attorney, was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison for committing Social Security fraud involving the use of false identities to secure employment in law firms.
Crosby, who resides in Mason, Ohio, was sentenced recently, as reported by Reuters and a press release issued on March 10, 2025. Aside from his prison term, he is ordered to pay restitution of $171,000 to the firms that fell victim to his fraud.
Details of the Fraudulent Scheme
Pretending to be Richard Williams, Crosby pretended to have an illustrious background where he claimed to be a former Marine, a collegiate football player at the University of Michigan, and even an alumnus of Kirkland & Ellis, a prestigious law firm. His efforts culminated in receiving job offers from at least seven different law firms, many of which provided salaries upwards of six figures, including a substantial offer of $250,000 from a California firm just prior to his indictment.
Legal Proceedings
In July 2024, Crosby entered a guilty plea to three counts of Social Security fraud. Prosecutors noted that he had utilized personal identifying information from various sources, including that of his elderly father, a deceased individual, and his girlfriend, in order to fabricate his new identities.
His fraudulent activities reportedly began in June 2021, just as he signaled intentions to leave the legal profession. Crosby had faced multiple theft indictments in the state later that year, and amid these legal troubles, he was disbarred following an order from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. However, records from the Supreme Court of Ohio still list him as “Resigned-Discipline Pending,” confirming that while he appears disbarred in practice, his official disbarment status had not been finalized.
Previous and Ongoing Legal Issues
Continuing his legal struggles, Crosby pleaded guilty to state theft charges in May 2023, which resulted in a sentence of probation the following month. The situation illustrates a significant breach of trust and highlights the growing concern regarding identity fraud in professional sectors.
This case serves as a warning about the potential risks associated with employment verification processes and the lengths some individuals may go to manipulate their professional identities.
