Paul Ngobeni is charged in the State of Connecticut with Larceny in the Third Degree, a class D felony, Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a class A  misdemeanor, Larceny in the Sixth Degree, a class C misdemeanor, Forgery in the Third Degree, a class B misdemeanor, and Practice of Law by Persons not Attorneys, an unclassified misdemeanor with a penalty of a fine not more than $250 and/or imprisonment for not more than two months.

The defendant, who is representing himself, filed a motion to dismiss the charge of Practice of Law by Persons not Attorneys and he argued his motion in the Superior Court for the Judicial District of Windham at Danielson, Connecticut, before Judge Antonio C. Robaina. The State of Connecticut (prosecution) argued in opposition to the motion to dismiss.

Judge Robaina has not yet ruled on this motion. Whether or not this motion is granted, the other charges, including the felony charge, are still pending and the state is prepared to proceed notwithstanding the court's ruling on the unauthorized practice of law charge.

The State of Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice (prosecution) will not comment on whether it will request Mr. Ngobeni's extradition.

Note: A class D felony is punishable by not less than one nor more than five years imprisonment and/or a fine not to exceed $5,000; a class A misdemeanor is punishable by a term not to exceed one year and/or a fine not to exceed $2,000; a class B misdemeanor is punishable by a term not to exceed six months and/or a fine not to exceed $1,000; and a class C misdemeanor is punishable by a term not to exceed three months and/or a fine not to exceed $500.

Issued by: Mark Dupuis Communications Officer