Nikolai Tehin's father made wine barrels. His mother worked as a janitor. Tehin himself toiled in the fields of Central Valley farms.
Yet by the time he was in his 50s, Tehin had it all: a successful law practice, a beautiful wife, three adorable children, a Pacific Heights mansion, a 73-foot yacht. And status.
The climb was fast. The descent may be faster. Across town from Tehin's six- bedroom, seven-bathroom home, federal prosecutors, State Bar officials and creditors are preparing to take it all away. His clients, many poor and disabled, say he stole their money.
Read this fascinating and tragic story from the San Francisco Chronicle here.