Law Prof on Trial for Embezzlement Loses Privilege Fight

A University of Minnesota Law School professor, who is defending charges that he bilked investors in two synthetic diamond companies, can’t assert the attorney-client privilege over legal advice he gave the companies, a federal magistrate judge said Mar. 12.

Edward S. Adams was indicted a year ago on charges that he stole millions of dollars from investors in Apollo Diamond Inc. and Apollo Gemstone Corp., companies founded by his in-laws. Adams held various titles at the two companies and his law firm performed legal work for them.

Adams routed Apollo investment funds to accounts he controlled, and then tried to ...