Fake lawyer sentenced to 2 years in prison

A Russian court sentenced a man to two years in prison for practicing law without a diploma for 12 years. Vladimir Oreshniko, a well-known lawyer in Moscow, pleaded guilty to fraud for working as a lawyer without a proper diploma, RIA Novosti reported Monday. The investigation into Oreshniko found he applied for a license to practice law at the Moscow Regional Bar Association with a fake diploma allegedly issued to him in June 1991 by the Belarusian State University. "The lack of higher education may be grounds to review cases in which he participated, as well as the provision of low-quality legal services, which is a violation of the right for defense," said Vladimir Zherebenkov, the chairman of the Bar Association. Oreshniko was sentenced to two years in prison by the Tver district court.