Toronto lawyer couple accused of embezzling $7M in client funds, facing multiple fraud charges amid ongoing lawsuits and police investigations.
Criminal Charges Filed in Major Embezzlement Case
A Toronto lawyer couple known for their boutique law practice and lavish lifestyle are now facing serious criminal charges after police revealed over $7 million in client trust funds had been embezzled. Charges were officially announced Thursday, marking a major development in a scandal that has shaken Ontario’s legal and real estate communities.
Who Is Involved
The accused include 42-year-old real estate lawyer Singa Bui and her husband and law partner, Nicholas Cartel, 61, who practiced litigation and class actions. Bui faces 42 charges, including 24 counts of fraud over $5,000, 17 counts of criminal breach of trust, and one count of possession of proceeds of crime. Cartel has been charged with one count of fraud over $5,000, which he calls “baseless.”
Where the Alleged Crimes Occurred
The incidents are linked to Cartel & Bui LLP, a law firm formerly located in west Toronto. The firm was responsible for handling real estate transactions, including managing trust accounts for home sales and mortgage disbursements. Multiple clients have since filed civil lawsuits claiming the firm withheld funds from property transactions.
Timeline of Alleged Embezzlement
Court records show that concerns began surfacing in 2021, with clients claiming funds disappeared during or after home sales. In one extreme case from November 2023, over $2 million vanished from the firm’s trust account days after it was transferred by a homebuyer. Police believe this pattern may date back as far as 2014, with Bui admitting in a sworn affidavit to systematically diverting client money for personal luxuries.
How the Funds Were Used
According to court documents, the misappropriated funds were allegedly spent on luxury vacations, designer fashion, fine dining, private school tuition, and expensive art. During a police raid in December 2023, authorities seized over 1,000 items from the couple’s midtown Toronto home, including high-end clothing and furnishings.
Growing Number of Victims and Complaints
Police documents reveal at least 20 criminal complaints were made between December 2023 and May 2024. More than 40 individuals, along with banks and insurance firms, have been identified as possible victims. Authorities allege the firm’s trust account was used like a “personal line of credit” without concern for repayment.
Legal and Professional Repercussions
Both lawyers were suspended from practice in April 2024 by the Law Society of Ontario. Disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against Bui, though Cartel has not yet faced professional sanctions. The couple also served brief jail time in 2023 for contempt of court related to the ongoing civil lawsuits.
As investigations continue and lawsuits pile up, legal experts are calling for stronger safeguards in managing client trust funds. The criminal proceedings could take months or years to resolve, but the case already stands as one of the most high-profile legal breaches in recent Canadian real estate history.
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