Former attorney accused of continuing practice

EPHRATA - A former Moses Lake attorney is accused of doing legal work after being suspended and disbarred and taking more than $2,500.

Prosecutors charged Theodore A. Mahr with three counts of unlawful practice of law and one count of third degree theft in Grant County District Court. A $10,000 bench warrant was issued for his arrest.

The case revolves around two victims. The first alleged incident happened in June 2010, roughly five months before he was disbarred, according to court records. The man wanted an attorney to help his wife with applying for a green card.

Mahr was suspended from practicing law at the time, according to the statement.

The man found Mahr listed as an attorney in a phone book and contacted him, according to court records. Mahr reportedly told the man he could help for $1,000 sent to his account. When the man told Mahr he wanted to meet prior to giving him money, Mahr allegedly offered to meet the man in his home. The victim reportedly responded he wanted to meet Mahr at his office.

Mahr allegedly met the man and his wife in his garage, and told them he could help for $1,000, according to court records. The victim reportedly paid him, and later discovered Mahr was suspended and demanded a refund. Mahr allegedly returned the money.

Mahr reportedly tried to practice law about a year and a half later, after he was disbarred, according to court records. He met a man in the Moses Lake Public Library and allegedly introduced himself as Tom Barr.

They discussed an issue the alleged victim was having with a Yakima car dealership. The man claimed the dealership put false information on his loan application, according to court records. Mahr allegedly told the man that he could provide him with two letters, one for the dealership, one for the credit union, for $100.

When the letters didn't solve the problems, Mahr reportedly offered to do research for the man, asking for $50, according to court records. Mahr allegedly asked to borrow $2,500 for his step-mother's surgery, with the promise of repayment within the next two weeks.

Mahr reportedly chose not to pay the man back, telling him he was waiting for clients to pay him, according to court records. He reportedly learned of Mahr's disbarment later.