Complaint Review: Howard L. Blau

This man preys upon vulnerable people (often women and gay men). He gains their trust as confidential advisor and lawyer. He takes their money into escrow to "safeguard" it for the client--then steals it! NYS has suspended this con man's law license pending permanent disbarment and is pursuing other charges against him. Meanwhile, beware.

He ripped off over a dozen of my clients when we "entrusted" him with over $50K in settlement proceeds deposited into his escrow, which he promptly drew down to zero and distributed to himself and three of his cronies in cash. These clients desperately needed the funds, and after all of his charming appeals of offering to "help" them, he could care less. He took the money and ran.

Blau is a serial con artist. He is very dangerous. Turns out he has been pulling this off for years in NY and elsewhere. In one instance, he stole $94,000 from an HIV-positive starving artist from the proceeds of the sale of the artist's home! He especially likes to cozy up to performers and artists--claiming to have a deep affinity for them and dedication to the arts. It's a ploy. Vulnerable people are Blau's favorite marks. He is a total coward and scammer, with the conscience of a sociopath (ie, none).

Fuming
New York, New York
U.S.A.