Former investment broker sentenced for stealing over $150K from clients

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A former investment broker was sentenced to a year in jail for stealing more than $150,000 from two clients in 2023, the Erie County District Attorney’s Office said Wednesday.

Damian Baird, 52, of Clarence stole a total of $153,503 from four accounts belonging to two clients in Erie County between Feb. 3 and March 15, 2023, officials said. He did this by depositing checks into his personal bank account instead of their investment account.

An investigation began when one of the clients filed a dispute after receiving a notice that their account had not been funded and that their check had been altered to be made payable to Baird.

He pleaded guilty to four counts of third-degree grand larceny in March. As a condition, he signed to pay full restitution to the victims. To date, he has not paid back any of the money.

In addition, Baird is not a U.S. citizen and is expected to be deported to the United Kingdom after he completes his sentence.

Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here .