A disbarred Dallas County personal injury attorney accused of stealing from his clients now blames drug addiction for his problems.
Tom Corea, 42, appeared in court Wednesday morning asking a judge to send him to a pricey rehab facility.
Corea wanted the judge to reduce his $2 million bond and send him to a drug rehababilitation facility that would cost more than $33,000.
The judge said no.
Corea claims is addiction to seizure medication and the sedative Klonopin contributed to his career-ending arrest.
His attorney said Corea has just been accepted into drug treatment at Lone Star Victory Ranch in south Texas about 15 miles from the Mexican border.
“Mr. Corea essentially wanted to go to a medical spa close to the border. The longer he stays in jail, the quicker we’ll be able to come to a disposition in this case,” said Dallas County Assistant District Attorney, Jacob Harris.
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The defense said the $33,000 price tag wouldn’t cost taxpayers and that Corea would pay for it.
Prosecutors argue money is what landed Corea in trouble in the first place. Several of his clients sued the 42-year-old, accusing their former attorney of stealing their settlement money from their own cases.
Corea got out of jail this fall, but problems continued to mount. His landlord evicted him from his design district law office for not paying rent. The judge tossed him back in jail after he reportedly trashed his office on his way out by scattering toilet paper all over and drawing obscene images on the walls.
The judge said because of those actions, Corea’s bond will stand.
“We’re pleased with the judge’s decision today and plan to pursue justice for all Mr. Corea’s victims,” said Harris.
Corea could go to trial as early as January, that’s when a judge could decide whether to send him to drug rehab.
