Verrill Dana LLP, one of Maine's largest law firms, has fired longtime partner John Duncan for allegedly embezzling from clients and the firm, the Portland Press Herald reported.

Duncan, a 29-year veteran of Verrill Dana, was fired Oct. 28, about five months after his legal secretary first raised questions about $77,500 in checks Duncan had written to himself from a client, Gregg Ginn, a partner at Verrill Dana, told the paper. Duncan has repaid the money, according to the paper, but there could be more. Ginn said over the years Duncan overbilled clients, stole money from private accounts, and directed money meant for the firm to himself. Verrill Dana sent apology letters in November to about 1,000 clients of Duncan, going back to the early years of his employment.

Verrill Dana has hired three outside firms to conduct audits of Duncan's billing and accounting services, and a report will be turned over today to the Maine Board of Bar Overseers, the Press Herald reported. Duncan could lose his license and face criminal charges, and Verrill Dana could face penalties for not reporting the information sooner, Ginn told the paper.