Bronx defense attorney Stacey Richman, who represented Kindlon at the arraignment, said her client's mental health had rapidly deteriorated recently.
Richman said Kindlon passed the bar exam last year and was working toward admission. She said the defendant is extraordinarily intelligent and, when he is well, is a "stellar" individual.
"He was in the midst of going through Mental Health Court because of matters pending in New York County, which were a result of his organic illness," Richman said. "This entire matter should be addressed in the context of the Mental Health Court as it highlights the issues we have with people who are organically ill."
District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. said in a statement that, "Simply put, it is a crime to practice law without a license. The rules governing lawyers exist to protect those in need of competent representation before our courts. This defendant was an imposter who abused the trust of his purported clients for his own financial gain."
The elder Kindlon declined to discuss the matter.
@|John Caher can be contacted at jcaher@alm.com. Tania Karas can be contacted at tkaras@alm.com.
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