Alleged victim's son takes stand in trial of financial advisor

By By JOLEEN FERRIS

Story Created: Feb 3, 2009 at 5:20 PM EDT

Story Updated: Feb 3, 2009 at 9:46 PM EDT

UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - Witnesses took the stand Tuesday in the case of a financial advisor accused of helping to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from an elderly client.

Dorene Dorn is accused of conspiring with former attorney Helene Hamlin to steal that money from John Hatfield Sr's accounts.

Hamlin pleaded guilty and, as part of that deal, has agreed to testify against Dorene Dorn.

A tense 'she said-she said' is brewing; Dorn's attorney says she will testify in her own defense, presumably to neutralize any damage done by Hamlin.

That was supposed to happen Tuesday, but the first witness, an Ameriprise financial employee, took several hours on the stand. So Hamlin was then bumped to Wednesday morning.

However, alleged victim John Hatfield Sr's son, John Hatfield Jr. - an attorney from North Carolina - took the stand today.

He expressed concern about how his father's trust accounts were set up. He says that after an initial conversation with Helene Hamlin - Dorn's accused co-conspirator - during which she asked him to send a letter verifying who he was, he never heard back from Hamlin, despite many attempts to call her.

The stakes are very high for Dorene Dorn - she rejected a plea offer similar to one Hamlin accepted. The offer meant no prison time, just probation. She risks up to 15 years at prison if convicted at trial.
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