Embryo Scandal Lawyer Begins 4-Year Sentence

Melanie Rae Blum, who was convicted of embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from clients in an embryo-theft scandal at UC Irvine, turned herself in Thursday to begin her four-year sentence, officials said.

Blum, 57, was the lead attorney in the landmark cases that led to the university paying nearly $20 million in settlements to 107 couples. She was convicted in September 2004 on 10 counts of grand theft for cases she handled with her now ex-husband, Mark Roseman. She had been free during her appeals of the conviction.

Roseman is serving his own four-year sentence in the case.