Ex-judge gets probation in elder abuse case

Former judge Paul Seeman pleaded no contest in elder abuse. Former judge Paul Seeman pleaded no contest in elder abuse. Photo: ABC7 News Photo: ABC7 News Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Ex-judge gets probation in elder abuse case 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

A former Alameda County Superior Court judge was sentenced Monday to five years of probation for mishandling a $250,000 loan from a 97-year-old neighbor and stealing a small amount of money from her - accusations that were less serious than those initially leveled by prosecutors.

Paul Seeman, who was originally charged with dozens of felony counts, entered no contest pleas in August to elder abuse and perjury, both felonies.

At a hearing Monday in Oakland, visiting Judge Richard Couzens ordered Seeman not to live with - or act as a caregiver for - an elder or dependent adult other than family members or act as a fiduciary for anyone. Seeman, 59, of Berkeley, declined to comment.

His attorney, Laurel Headley, said her client pleaded no contest "in order to bring this matter to a close for himself and his family and the court. He appreciates that the sentence took into account the many good works he has accomplished in his life."

Deputy District Attorney Jason Sjoberg revealed after the hearing that although investigators originally suspected Seeman of additional crimes relating to his neighbor in the Berkeley hills, Anne Nutting, the investigation determined that he had mishandled a $250,000 loan and stolen $5,648.

In the charges filed last year, authorities said Seeman had befriended Nutting, obtained power of attorney over her and her late husband, sold her possessions and used her garage to store his 1957 Thunderbird as she lived in a hotel near the Berkeley Marina.

But investigators later confirmed that Seeman had helped Nutting sell some items as part of a probate sale, Sjoberg said, with no clear malfeasance.

Authorities did conclude that Nutting, who died in 2010, loaned Seeman $250,000, which he did not repay until Berkeley police began investigating him in 2010. Seeman was convicted of lying about his financial transactions with Nutting in his sworn statements of economic interests, and with misusing judicial staff.

Seeman resigned from the bench in March. As a result of his convictions, he cannot practice law in California.