United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

DANBURY ATTORNEY PLEADS GUILTY TO FORGING FEDERAL JUDGE'S SIGNATURE

Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JAMES A. CURRAN, age 56, of 28 Tanglewood Drive, Danbury, Connecticut, waived indictment and pleaded guilty today to one-count Information charging him with forging the signature of United States Bankruptcy Judge Alan H. W. Shiff. United States District Court Judge Janet B. Arterton accepted CURRAN's plea of guilty this afternoon in New Haven.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made during today's proceedings, CURRAN is an attorney licensed to practice law in Connecticut with law offices in Danbury. The guilty plea resolves charges brought in a criminal complaint filed against CURRAN on May 20, 2004. The criminal complaint alleged that between September 24, 2003 and November 7, 2003, CURRAN forged the signature of Judge Shiff. The forged order, granting a motion to void a judgement lien, was submitted to a bank on or about November 7, 2003, in an effort to secure a refinance loan on behalf of his clients.

"As part of his plea agreement, Mr. Curran has agreed to voluntarily and permanently surrender his license to practice law, as well he should, because an officer of the Court who abuses a position of trust compromises our entire system of justice." U.S. Attorney O'Connor stated. "This Office will continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute all individuals who engage in this type of conduct."

When he is sentenced by Judge Arterton on September 7, 2003, CURRAN faces a maximum penalty of five years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.

The case was investigated by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Maria A. Kahn and William M. Brown.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov