Pennsville attorney Martin J. Siegel accused of stealing $200K from clients

Pennsville Police Chief Allen J. Cummings addresses the arrest of township attorney Martin J. Seigel who allegedly stole an estimated $200,000 from clients over the past three years. The press conference was at the township municipal court on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014. (Staff Photo by Brittany M. Wehner)

PENNSVILLE TWP. — A local attorney is being accused of stealing an estimated $200,000 from at least 12 clients, Pennsville Police Chief Allen J. Cummings said Thursday evening during a press conference at the township courthouse.

Martin J. Siegel, 56, of Mantua, was arrested Thursday afternoon at his house and charged with 10 counts of theft and six counts of forgery, Cummings said.

Siegel’s law firm is located at 220 N. Broadway in Pennsville, as well as another location in New Castle County, Del.

Pennsville Police have been investigating Siegel since April 2013, when the first client came forward to authorities, Cummings said.

Further investigation revealed that Siegel allegedly stole approximately $200,000 from clients over a three-year period, he added.

Police did not go into detail about how the money was allegedly stolen from clients.

The victims were from throughout the area, but specific towns were not provided Thursday afternoon.

Cummings added that the victims had retained legal services from Siegel in regard to civil litigations. He said that Siegel has no prior criminal history.

Cummings also said that it is unclear at this time what Siegel’s motives were.

Siegel also allegedly filled out law firm checks using family names and continued to forge signatures on the backs of checks to cash them, Cummings said.

According to Siegel’s Law Office Facebook page, he studied law at Widener University, Delaware Law School, and Bucknell University.

His page continues to state that Siegel is a member of the Board of Governors of the New Jersey Trial Lawyers Association and has served on the N.J. Supreme Court Advisory Committee on complimentary dispute resolution.

Siegel was processed at the township police station and then transported to the Salem County Correctional Facility, in Mannington, in default of $260,000 bail, according to police.

Authorities encourage anyone with information about these incidents, or others, to contact Deective Michael Gibison at the Pennsville Police Department at 856-678-3089, ext. 504.

“I would like to thank the Salem County Prosecutor’s Office and the West Deptford Police Department for their assistance with this investigation,” Cummings said.