Former South Bend lawyer released from federal prison

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Paul Kusbach arrives for his sentencing in March of 2004 (WSBT Photo)

Paul Kusbach arrives for his sentencing in March of 2004 (WSBT Photo)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: May 31, 2008 at 11:13 PM EDT

Story Updated: Jun 1, 2008 at 2:37 AM EDT

SOUTH BEND -- A once-prominent Michiana lawyer is out of federal prison after serving a four-year sentence.

Paul Kusbach pleaded guilty in 2003 for defrauding a dozen people out of about $1.2 million.

In addition to his prison sentence, he was also ordered to pay the money back.

Kusbach is now 70 years old.

Friday, Aug 8 at 10:40 PM Old Employee wrote ...

I used to work for Paul. He is a good man who fell prey to one of the many evils of this world - money at the expense of people who trusted him. The government screws people all of the time but that seems to be acceptable. Anger and disappointment would be a normal reaction to Paul's behavior but, do not forget forgiveness. God forgives us daily....be careful not to sit in the seat of the scornful. Welcome back Paul and God Bless You!

Wednesday, Jul 9 at 11:11 AM Anonymous wrote ...

I happen to know this man very closely... and I highly doubt that he will go on "living a happy life". All people make mistakes, and the system will make sure that justice is served and that those hurt get back what they lost. What he did was absolutely inexcusable, but sitting in prison wasn't helping the people he hurt any either.

Saturday, Jun 14 at 8:28 PM anonymous wrote ...

the less you hurt people the more time you get in prison

Monday, Jun 2 at 3:37 PM Anonymous wrote ...

think about you morons, put the violent offenders behind bars and make the greedy ones work to payoff their debt to the victims.

Monday, Jun 2 at 3:14 PM Anonymous wrote ...

what did sending him to prison for 4 yrs do? nothing but cost @ 100k of tax payers money,when he could have been repaying the people that he hurt.

Monday, Jun 2 at 12:54 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Not all laywers are bad, who are you too judge

Monday, Jun 2 at 12:21 PM Don't get it wrote ...

This dude ripped off people, ruined thier lives and served time in federal prison. He should be held responsible to pay back what he stole. What I don't get is how this guy goes to prison and that Kati fella who killed that security guard had 20 years of house arrest for selling drugs. Our system is so screwed, federal and local. They should have sentenced Kusbach to house arrest so he could work to pay back his victims.

Monday, Jun 2 at 12:06 PM V wrote ...

All these lawyer jokes while bankers get off scott free. Maybe looking at bankers takes actual courage and would make it too hard to get out of bed every morning to go to work and make them rich.

Monday, Jun 2 at 10:21 AM What do they do with lawyers after the revolution? wrote ...

Great joke g-man. It's the same for sharks. What is the difference between a lawyer and a shark? One is a scum sucking bottom feeder, and the shark is a fish. Just like David Snyder, Kusbach will keep his fancy car, his homes(probably in his wife's name), and he will live his life a happy man. And lastly, what do you call 10,000 lawyers at the bottom of the sea? A start.

Monday, Jun 2 at 10:18 AM T. Paine wrote ...

Oh no, the streets aren't safe. Now, at any moment, I could be walking along in the evening, and BOOM, Paul Kusbach jumps out of the bushes. Writing your representative can be done online. It takes almost no effort at all. The message is simple. Stop filling the prisons with non-violent offenders. Start KEEPING violent offenders in a cage. That is the purpose of a cage.

Monday, Jun 2 at 2:08 AM alena wrote ...

i agree with everyone who commented. they are all correct...

Monday, Jun 2 at 12:22 AM G Man wrote ...

Question: Why won't a rattle snake bite an attorney? Answer: Professional courtesy!

Monday, Jun 2 at 12:13 AM t.d. wrote ...

I hope he was someones little girlfriend in prison.

Sunday, Jun 1 at 11:30 PM Anon wrote ...

A blood sucker if ever there was oner

Sunday, Jun 1 at 9:12 PM Kath wrote ...

I was at his sentencing. His victims faces still haunt me. Some lost their homes because of his robbery. One of the victims was crying because of everything he put her through. He should of had to sell his house and car (fancy import) and taken care of these victims. Don't know how he can show his face around town. Sorry is not enough. Put him to work so he pay back something to his victims. Makes me sick.

Sunday, Jun 1 at 4:26 PM Anonymous wrote ...

i believe he was also lost his license to practice law in Indiana. Four years is not enough. But I'd rather have some scheming slimeball like him free than a convicted rapist, drug dealer or some other criminal that has the potential of inflicting physical harm on society.

Sunday, Jun 1 at 2:58 PM Mike Sullivan wrote ...

Why is he sucking free air? 4 years in a country club and now he will pay restitution? You all know we need some VERY Conservative judges in St. Joseph county, and this case proves it again.

Sunday, Jun 1 at 2:42 PM Anonymous wrote ...

He should get more time as I'm sure the people who he defrauded still had to pay his fee and the bills he didn't give them the money he was supposed to settle medical accunts

Sunday, Jun 1 at 12:58 PM jut2ad wrote ...

Got off easy, in a rather cushy Fed. Prison. Just like another atty. from this area. Real plush locks up facility for the healthy. Should be forced to sell home, cars...etc. and give it back, instead saved it all and hide it and/or put it in his wife's name. Give it BACK TO THE PEOPLE! U thieves!

Sunday, Jun 1 at 8:33 AM Wow wrote ...

He is not the only LAWYER around south bend is like this

Saturday, May 31 at 11:29 PM Anonymous wrote ...

What a jerk. He was freakin lawyer...I'm sure he was quite comfortable before he started robbing people. People like him are a waste of space.

Saturday, May 31 at 11:25 PM Anon wrote ...

What a waste of human flesh. I doubt anyone he screwed out of money will ever see a dime.

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