SYOSSET, NY – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced the indictment of Syosset resident Daphna Zekaria, 54, a partner at the Huntington law firm of Sokolski and Zekaria, P.C. Zekaria faces charges for allegedly stealing from two clients.
According to the investigation, in December 2021, Zekaria was hired by a New York State Lottery winner. She allegedly promised to hold and invest a portion of the client’s winnings. Instead, she reportedly made large unauthorized transfers, totaling $230,000 in three transactions.
In March, a Manhattan woman hired Zekaria to contest eviction proceedings. The client paid $17,500 but alleged that Zekaria performed no legal work and spent the funds on personal expenses.
Zekaria is charged with Grand Larceny in the Second and Third Degrees, Scheme to Defraud, and Criminal Contempt for failing to comply with a grand jury subpoena. She was arrested on December 5 by Suffolk County investigators.