Search for Illinois lawyer ends with arrest in Florida

JONESBORO, Ill. -- A Union County lawyer who had not been seen publicly for months has been arrested in Florida on Illinois charges that he stole money from former clients.

Patrick Cox of Anna was arrested Monday in Pinellas County, Fla., five days after a Union County grand jury accused him of three felony theft counts alleging he stole money from clients at various times during the past three years, the Illinois attorney general's office said.

Cox remains jailed in Florida on $150,000 bond. He has waived extradition and is to be returned to Illinois after a Florida court appearance Friday, said Scott Mulford, a spokesman for the AG's office.

An attorney for Cox, who was a 2004 candidate for state's attorney and former Cairo city attorney, on Wednesday questioned the need for the criminal charges, arguing the dispute was a civil matter.

"If the object of the exercise is to satisfy the aggrieved part, you do that with money," making it a civil case, attorney Duane Verity of Marion said.

Verity rejected speculation that Cox had been on the run since May, saying he had been in frequent contact with his client since then and that Cox would have returned to Illinois voluntarily on any charges without having to be arrested.

"While nothing had been filed, Pat was still at liberty to go wherever he liked. This is America," Verity said.

Mulford declined to address Verity's complaints.

Messages left with Union County State's Attorney Allen James, whose office deferred the Cox case to the attorney general, were not immediately returned.

Cox also faces a complaint the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission filed in August, accusing him of mishandling his clients' money by cashing their checks without their knowledge or consent.

In those cases, a panel consisting of a volunteer judge, two lawyers and one nonlawyer hear the case, then make a recommendation to the Illinois Supreme Court, which makes the final determination.

That case is pending, and no hearing date has been set, Cox's Springfield attorney in that matter, Charles Northrup, said Wednesday.