WEST CHESTER, PA — The Chester County District Attorney’s Office and Chester County Detectives have announced the arrest of James Vassallo, 55, of Voorhees, New Jersey, on multiple allegations of theft and related offenses during his time working as a real estate attorney.
Vassallo has been charged with five counts of Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition of Funds, six counts of Theft by Deception, and other associated violations. After turning himself in on January 22, 2025, he was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Erin Bruno, who set unsecured bail at $50,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 28, 2025.
According to the criminal complaint filed by Chester County Detectives, the alleged misconduct dates back to early 2023 when Vassallo was hired by victims to assist in the purchase of a home in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Despite the fact that his law license had been suspended in August 2018, Vassallo reportedly agreed to act as their real estate attorney, overseeing financial arrangements for the settlement process.
The investigation revealed that in March 2023, the victims wired settlement funds to Vassallo, expecting him to oversee payment obligations, including deed recording fees, taxes, and title insurance premiums. However, it is alleged that Vassallo failed to fulfill any of these responsibilities.
By May 2023, after the victims were unable to reach Vassallo via phone, they contacted the Chester County Recorder of Deeds Office and discovered that the deed to their home had not been recorded. Subsequent inquiries into their title insurance revealed that the insurance documents provided by Vassallo were fraudulent and that no actual policy had been purchased. Detectives allege that Vassallo retained the funds intended for settlement payments for himself.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Andrea Cardamone has been assigned to prosecute the case, and Chester County Detectives are leading the ongoing investigation. Authorities are encouraging anyone with additional information about the case to contact the Chester County Detectives at (610) 344-6866.
The investigation is active and evolving, and further information will be released as it becomes available. All suspects, including James Vassallo, are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Authorities reaffirm their commitment to securing justice for the victims involved.
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