Casablanca Lawyer Accused of Embezzling Bar Association Funds
Casablanca, Morocco – A shocking scandal has rocked the Casablanca Bar Association, with a lawyer and member accused of embezzling funds. The lawyer allegedly exploited his position to fraudulently obtain a substantial sum of money, raising concerns about financial oversight and ethical conduct within the legal profession.
The incident, which reportedly occurred in June 2024, involved the lawyer withdrawing a check from the Bar Association’s deposit account. He later claimed the check was lost and subsequently obtained a second check for the same amount, effectively doubling his withdrawal. The total sum embezzled is reported to be 63 million Moroccan dirhams (approximately $570,000 USD based on January 2025 exchange rates). This act went undetected for six months until a fellow lawyer, reviewing financial records, noticed the duplicate transaction and formally reported the discrepancy to the Bar Association president and council.
The initial assumption was that the duplicate withdrawal was a legitimate disbursement of a divided deposit, potentially authorized due to the reported loss of the first check. However, further investigation revealed a more troubling scenario. The accused lawyer not only reported the first check lost but also personally delivered the stop payment order to the bank, leveraging his position within the Bar Association to seemingly avoid suspicion. Just two days later, he obtained and cashed the second check.
When confronted, the lawyer attributed the incident to a high volume of transactions in his account and promised to return the funds. However, he has reportedly stalled on repayment, even offering a check with insufficient funds. This prompted an emergency meeting of the Casablanca Bar Association council, which has tasked two senior members, Abdallah Dermich and Mohamed Chehbi, with conducting an urgent investigation.
Beyond the internal investigation, calls have been made for the Attorney General of Casablanca to launch a separate inquiry. Sources argue that the Bar Association’s finances, which include client deposits and court fees as stipulated in Articles 65 and 66 of the Moroccan Code of Judicial Costs, should be considered public funds, not private. This distinction is crucial, as it could elevate the charges from breach of trust to embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds. The Ministry of Finance’s oversight authority over Bar Association accounting further strengthens this argument.
This case highlights the potential vulnerabilities within professional organizations, even those entrusted with upholding the law. It underscores the importance of robust financial controls, transparent accounting practices, and swift action when irregularities are detected. The outcome of the investigations will be closely watched by the legal community and the public, as it could have significant implications for the reputation and integrity of the Casablanca Bar Association. Furthermore, it raises broader questions about the prevalence of financial fraud within professional organizations and the need for stronger preventative measures. According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), a typical organization loses 5% of its revenue to fraud each year, highlighting the widespread nature of this issue. This case serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and accountability
