A Washington, DC area man convicted of fraudulently billing families for services as a special education attorney despite not having a valid law license will spend one year in jail.

Howard D. Deiner was convicted in October on four felony fraud charges and one misdemeanor for practicing without a license.

Four parents testified that Deiner told them he was a special education attorney who could represent them in both administrative and court proceedings against their children’s school districts. However, Deiner was not licensed to practice law in Virginia and had let his license lapse in the District of Columbia.

A judge sentenced Deiner Friday to four years for each count of fraud and one year for the misdemeanor, but suspended three years from the fraud sentences. What’s more, the judge said the sentences would run concurrently.

Deiner brought a $36,000 check to the court to repay the families, who said they felt the sentence was appropriate, reports The Washington Post. To read more click here.

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