Dorene Dorn found guilty of grand larceny and conspiracy

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Story Created: Feb 5, 2009 at 2:44 PM EST

Story Updated: Feb 5, 2009 at 5:32 PM EST

UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - Both Dorene Dorn and former attorney Helene Hamlin were accused of stealing $357,000 from client John Hatfield Sr. Hamlin admitted her guilt and testified against Dorn; Dorn took her chances at trial, and Thursday - took the stand in her own defense.

And now her fate has been decided by an Oneida County Jury.

A former financial advisor, Dorn has been found guilty on charges of grand larceny and conspiracy.

At the close of trial Wednesday, Dorn wasn't going to testify on her behalf; she changed her mind and took the stand Thursday morning.

She acknowledged taking the money - $227,000 - but said she thought it was money Helene Hamlin gave her to invest in real estate -and says she had no idea the money originated from John Hatfield's accounts. The remaining $130,000 went to Hamlin, Dorn said.

When asked by her attorney if she and Hamlin planned to steal Hatfield's money, Dorn said "absolutely not."

But the prosecution went to work quickly poking holes in that assertion.

The prosecutor says this case comes down to two sinister qualities - betrayal and greed.

She could face up to 15 years in prison as a result of her conviction, and will be sentenced on March 27.
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