Major Verdict for Breach of Fiduciary Duty and Financial Exploitation

Following a highly contested four-day bench trial in the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County, Byrd & Byrd, LLC obtained a verdict exceeding $500,000 arising from egregious breaches of fiduciary duty and financial exploitation of a disabled widow.

Timothy P. Leahy, appointed by the Court as Guardian of Property, led an extensive investigation revealing that the client’s sister—acting under a power of attorney—conspired with a third party to misappropriate the client’s funds for personal use. The defendants engaged in systematic daily cash withdrawals, unauthorized large transfers, and diversion of funds to satisfy personal debts and acquire real property.

The Court found the defendants liable for civil conspiracy, conversion, unjust enrichment, constructive fraud, and violations of Maryland’s Statute Against Financial Exploitation (SAFE Act). The judgment included compensatory damages, treble damages, prejudgment interest, and attorneys’ fees exceeding $100,000—affirming the Court’s willingness to impose substantial remedies where fiduciaries abuse positions of trust.

This verdict highlights Byrd & Byrd’s depth of experience in complex fiduciary litigation and its effectiveness in holding fiduciaries accountable and recovering assets wrongfully taken from vulnerable individuals.