Johnston County Attorney Arrested For Embezzling From Clients

JOHNSTON COUNTY — A local attorney is facing serious legal trouble after being charged with embezzling more than $1.6 million in client funds, including from an elderly couple who entrusted him with proceeds from the sale of their home.

Korey Kiger, formerly of the Walker Kiger law firm located in the Cleveland community of Johnston County, has been charged with 13 felony counts of embezzlement and one count of exploiting a disabled or elderly person’s trust. The alleged crimes occurred between May and August 2025.

Among the most troubling allegations, authorities say Kiger stole approximately $710,019 from an elderly couple in Durham County. Kiger had served as the closing attorney for the sale of their home. One of the homeowners, a woman diagnosed with dementia, was living in an assisted living facility at the time. The proceeds from the sale were intended to cover her ongoing medical and care expenses.

In addition to the criminal charges, Kiger is also facing a civil lawsuit filed by the elderly victims.

Kiger was a practicing partner alongside attorney Steven Walker, who says he discovered financial discrepancies in a separate trust account controlled solely by Kiger. Walker promptly alerted law enforcement, the victims, and the North Carolina State Bar.

Walker issued a public statement through The Johnston County Report expressing deep concern and disappointment over the situation:

In my 20 years of practicing law, I have always conducted my practice in an ethical and moral manner—always putting my clients’ interests first, and I will continue to do so. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for Korey Kiger, a former member of Walker Kiger, PLLC.

On September 3, 2025, I immediately reported Korey Kiger to the North Carolina State Bar when I discovered that there were discrepancies in a separate trust account that Mr. Kiger had sole control and authority over, and which contained his clients’ funds. To say that I was shocked, saddened, betrayed, and angered by this discovery would be an understatement. Mr. Kiger had hidden these actions from not only his clients, but from me and others. I trusted Mr. Kiger, and what has transpired was not consistent with the honest, family-oriented individual that I believed Korey to be when I brought him into the office to practice with me. I have worked diligently over the last two weeks to attempt to assist his current clients in pending matters and give all the guidance that I can to assist them through this process. I have been fully cooperative with the State Bar and with law enforcement to attempt to assist his clients.

Most importantly, my deepest sympathies and resolve stand with Mr. Kiger’s clients who have been harmed. I will continue to work diligently to help them through this process to my best ability. I also want to assure my clients that any money they have in my separate trust account is completely accounted for and is safe.

Kiger was arrested on Thursday in Wake County and served with arrest warrants from both Johnston and Durham counties. The North Carolina State Bar is also conducting an investigation into the matter.

The case remains under active investigation.