FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Former Attorney Indicted for Evidence Tampering and Misapplication of Fiduciary Duty

San Antonio, Texas: November 12, 2009:

District Attorney Susan D. Reed announced today that a Bexar County Grand Jury returned an indictment against former attorney Diana Minella, age 51. The Grand Jury indicted Minella for Tampering with Evidence and Misapplication of Fiduciary Duty.

Minella’s legal practice was focused on handling traffic tickets. These charges arise out of Minella’s misapplying money she received from her clients to pay for their traffic tickets. The State alleges that instead of paying the ticket in full as she had represented to her clients she would pocket some or all of the money. The State further alleges that Minella failed to inform her clients that their tickets had not been paid in full or at all. As a result a warrant for the client’s arrest would be issued. The State alleges that Minella misapplied $36,000 of her clients' funds.

Minella was also indicted for Tampering with Evidence. The State alleges that Minella altered the payment amount on at least one court order after it was signed by a Municipal Court Judge. It is alleged that after Minella altered the document she submitted it to the Municipal Court clerk who created a bill of cost based on the changed number.

Minella surrendered her professional license to the State Bar on May 12, 2009.

Misapplication of Fiduciary Duty and Tampering with Evidence are both third-degree felony offenses, which carry a punishment range of two to ten years in prison and a fine up to $10,000. A trial date has not yet been set.

For more information, contact Adriana Biggs, White Collar Crime Division, 335-2404.