Class Action Lawyer Bill Lerach Sentenced to Two Years in Prison

As reported by the Wall Street Journal's Law Blog:

"Famed plaintiffs lawyer Bill Lerach received a two-year sentence today for his role in the alleged kickback scheme at Milberg Weiss. Lerach, 61, was also sentenced to two years probation, fined $250,000 and ordered to complete 1,000 hours of community service. . . . Lerach pleaded guilty last fall to a felony count of conspiring to obstruct justice and to submit false testimony in federal judicial proceedings. To recap, prosecutors have claimed that Milberg shared legal fees with clients to induce them to quickly file securities class actions. Lerach has acknowledged making secret payments to former client Steven Cooperman."

Other sources report that Mr. Lerach has also agreed to forfeit $7.75 million in profits from his enterprise.