Embattled lawyer Don Foote, who is charged with fraudulently converting $12.6 million belonging to one of his clients, claimed he was maliciously charged, as he could properly account for the money which he was instructed by his client to safeguard.

The charge against the veteran lawyer stems from allegations that he fraudulently converted part of an $18-million settlement that he won for a 17-year-old boy in a lawsuit against the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) after the teen was injured by the utility provider’s high tension wire and lost one of his hands.

The Supreme Court, in November 2013, reportedly authorised the teenager’s aunt and Foote’s secretary to be trustees of the money as the teen was under age.

The court also ordered that Foote be paid $5 million, while $2 million was to be reserved for the minor’s well-being and the rest was to be given to the trustees for them to invest. The interest was to be used to maintain the teen until he reached 18.

The attorney was, however charged with fraudulent conversion in April this year after the boy’s aunt reported him to the police.

But Foote is reporting that he was instructed by the teenaged boy and his mother not to give the money to the trustee who is now the complainant.

Foote is also contending that on the day he was arrested he told the police that he had the money and asked them to wait until the bank opened for him to prove to them that he did, but they refused.

“On the first day that matter went to court my lawyer, K D Knight, waived a cheque for $12.6 million in court,” he added, while pointing out that the police had abused their powers and had maliciously charged him.

According to Foote, he answered all of the 69 questions that were posed to him during the question and answer session and told the police why he had not handed over the money to the trustee.