A former Cincinnati-based lawyer identified as Richard L. Crosby III, has been arrested on charges of using a false identity to secure high-paying roles at law firms in Washington DC and Florida, following his disbarment in 2021. Details of the arrest surfaced on Thursday, the fallout from a criminal complaint filed in the Southern District of Ohio, which cites Crosby for wire fraud, social security number fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Justice.gov has provided public access to the relevant legal documents.
The disbarment of Crosby reportedly followed disciplinary proceedings against him, during which he resigned from practicing law. His disbarment was announced by the US District Court for the Southern District of Ohio in December 2021. Thereafter, Crosby faced two separate indictments in Hamilton County, Ohio. The charges involved alleged theft of client funds while Crosby performed his duties as an attorney, as well as accusations of theft and telecommunications fraud.
Despite his disbarment and legal troubles in Ohio, the complaint asserts that Crosby carried on applying for lucrative positions in law firms posing as ‘Richard Coleman Williams’, while falsifying credentials to appear licensed in both New York and the District of Columbia. In an extraordinary twist to the case, Crosby, under the guise of Richard Williams, briefly landed an employment opportunity with a DC-based firm in June 2021 and another at a law firm in Miami, Florida in September 2022. This last engagement, which occurred post his disbarment and run-ins with law enforcement, was reportedly aided by the use of a former romantic partner’s social security and passport numbers. The Miami firm eventually extended Crosby a starting salary of $185,000 per annum.
However, the scheme was unraveled when the Miami firm received an inquiry from an investigator of the Clermont County, Ohio Child Support Enforcement office, and consequently fired Crosby. Astonishingly, he continued to use his alias to apply for another firm in Coral Gables, Florida. While Crosby was initially offered a position with a higher starting salary of $195,000, the firm quickly discovered the truth behind his identity before he officially commenced his duties.
In another intriguing development, Crosby had previously sought political office, attempting a run for Congress in 2018 looking to represent Ohio’s Second Congressional District as a Democrat. His political ambitions, however, proved futile as his name failed to appear on the final ballot.
As of the moment, Crosby hasn’t publicly responded to the allegations against him. Legal representation for the defendant has yet to surface. The full legal details of the case can be explored under United States v. Williams, S.D. Ohio, No. 1:23-mj-00858, 10/26/23 available here.