The Star Tribune reports that disbarred attorney David Moskal, 54, has died in Colorado. We’ve been receiving reports of Mr. Moskal’s death from various sources since last week, but were unable to get official confirmation. The Star Tribune cites a mortuary obituary as its source. The Strib also notes that donations are requested to suicide-prevention organizations, which is consistent with the reports we heard about the cause of his death.
Moskal, once a name partner at the firm now known as Schwebel Goetz & Sieben, at one point made more than a $1 million a year as a personal injury attorney. The state’s legal community was shocked when it was discovered that Moskal, an attorney earning seven figures in his own right, was simultaneously stealing millions from clients. (As the Strib notes, the Schwebel firm fired Moskal as soon as the thefts came to light a little more than a decade ago and speedily reimbursed the victims.)
After being disbarred and serving his prison time for the thefts, Moskal moved to Denver, where he reportedly worked as a paralegal and as a client liaison for a spine-injury center and later for a medical group. Controversy followed Moskal to Colorado. After allegedly representing himself as an attorney while working as a client liaison, he was reportedly sentenced to 30 days in jail and had his supervision extended. (Click here for more on his troubles in Denver.) Mile High Medical Group, one of the firms for which Moskal worked, last week declined to answer any questions about him, stating only that Moskal no longer worked there.
The Moskal case will always be a mystery. Moskal, who finished at the top of his class at William Mitchell College of Law, had no need of the money he stole. He was well-liked, but lied to those who thought they were his friends and needlessly jeopardized the livelihoods of his colleagues. He valiantly fought to maximize the recoveries of his injured clients, but then secretly chiseled away portions of those recoveries for himself.
Moskal never offered a satisfactory explanation for his actions as a member of the Minnesota bar. Even in his “new life” in Colorado he apparently continued to operate outside the ethical margins. It’s impossible to say what inner demons plagued Moskal, but they apparently caught up with him in the end. It’s a sad story — perhaps most sad because we will never know what his true story was. Who was the real David Moskal? I doubt even he knew.
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My dad was a wonderful man who loved everyone. Funny how you don’t write about his 3 children who loved him dearly no matter what he did. You have no sympathy for his family. Did you ever think about what the kids are going through? No, because you have no heart. No respect at all. You may not think this, but my dad was a wonderful man with a big heart. I will always remember the wonderful memories.
You may never know who Dave Moskal was, but I know he was the best father a daughter could ask for.
Here I am only talking about Mr. Moskal’s behavior as an attorney. I did not know him personally, but I do know many who have described his winning personality. Mr. Moskal was by all accounts a man of uncommon intelligence, talents and charm — which is what makes this all the more unfortunate. I am sorry for your loss.
Kathy, I have no doubt you and your family have the prayers and sincere sympathy of every lawyer. Lawyering is a tough business, and Dave was always on the center stage, doing the best he could do. I do not know what the “mystery” was, and do not care at this point. Treasure his many accomplishments… and the help he provided to so many people throughout his career. I applaud the courage of your response. I would be very proud of my daughters if they did the same.
This man’s career as a thief overshadows his accomplishments as a father, imo. I suppose Madoff was a wonderful man as well.
My point here was not to villify the man. What he did as an attorney was wrong, and, in the end, I think the consequences of what he did so far exceeded anything he could have gained that he paid the price for that in full — and then some. My hope in presenting this here is not to further punish him, but to provide enough of his story so that someone on the edge of falling off that ethical cliff might think twice about it.
I think Mr. Moskal’s daughter’s spirited defense of her father does her credit. In the end, it’s heartening to know that a man who needlessly tossed away so much was able to retain one thing of great value, his child’s love. I don’t think we need to delve any deeper than that.
I thought Mr. Moskal was a very decent man. I liked him from the minute I met him. My condolences go out to his family. I had many enjoyable conversations with Dave. Everyone make’s mistakes beating someone over the head for their past is crazy.
Ms. Moskal I think and feel your dad was a very special person. In the short time I dealt with him he was very genuine and sincere. He is your dad, hell with what others think. I am so sorry for your loss.
Thank you for the nice comments. You are all right my Dad was a very nice man. He may have messed up, but he paid back all of the money owed. I wish that would have been written in the article. Maybe the author should remove this article and give respect to his family during their time of grieving, when all of his kids think about him every moment and know he is in Heaven smiling down on us. I hope to all the Dad’s that read this article, go home to their kids and kiss and hug them because you never know what day will bring. A dad’s love is the greatest. He is the reason for my success and I will continue to make him proud.
kathy, i knew and liked your father. i am sorry and saddened to learn of his death. he loved his children very much and often spoke of you.
Sorry to have loss. Our prayer are with you at this time. I knew your father. He handled a case for me a while back ago (93) . He took the case when his boss advised him not to. He got me as much as they are offering me and my family involving a drunk driver. We suffered perm. inj. My oldest son with have to deal with his inj. for the rest of his life. Wish your dad could have been in our corner.
Kathy,
I’m not sure if you remember me, I did the outdoor Christmas lights at your house in Edina. One Saturday afternoon I helped you and your brother decorate the Christmas tree while your mom abd dad went out Christmas shopping:) I remember your dad as a wonderful man that loved his children. I am deeply saddened to hear of his passing. I hope you always carry with you the wonderful memories of a happy family. I know he loved you very much.
Dino