ALBANY – An unlicensed attorney who ran a bogus law office will have to pay back clients that he'd promised to represent in legal matters including parole appeals, state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said.



Mario Vrendenburg, also known as Antonia Barrone, and his New York State Prisoner Assistance Center or New York Parole Aids will have to pay $23,427 to its inmate clients for legal services that it was unqualified and unlicensed to perform. It will also have to pay the state $244,500 in penalties.



Schneiderman said that NYSPAC and Vrendenburg, a convicted felon, collected thousands of dollars in legal fees since at least 2012. He also filed legal documents with forged signatures and fake notary stamps. He also wrote letters to consumers on letterhead bearing the name of a fictitious law firm, Stacchini & Barrone.

Vrendenburg also appropriated the name of a licensed attorney, without the attorney's knowledge.



"This judgment is a win for all New Yorkers impacted by this scam, ensuring that the victims can no longer be preyed on by the defendants," Schneiderman said. "Practicing law without a license can have dire consequences for victims who are simply seeking legitimate legal advice and representation. My office won't hesitate to hold accountable anyone who harms the legal rights of New Yorkers."



Schneiderman filed suit in May. In addition to the fines, Tuesday's default judgement, also prohibits Vrendenburg and NYSPAC from practicing law without a license, advertising or peddling legal or paralegal services.