Two law firms defending the Centre for Management and Technology and Chairman Alan Fabian on allegations of improper transfers of money have asked to withdraw from the cases, saying they have not been paid. Hogan & Hartson, which is representing the Centre for Management in two lawsuits in bankruptcy court, filed its motion to withdraw as counsel Sept. 10. And law firm Venable LLP said in court documents Sept. 20 that it would withdraw as counsel to Fabian, wife Jacqueline Richards-Fabian and other defendants in several proceedings to recover money in bankruptcy court.

Fabian was indicted by a federal grand jury last month on charges of a $32 million computer equipment leasing scheme. The grand jury alleges Fabian used the money to buy beach property, travel on jets and set up the nonprofit Centre for Management.

The center bills itself as a resource that helps other nonprofits operate more efficiently and use technology better. The center is not a defendant in Fabian's criminal case, but it is required to provide monthly financial reports to the federal court and not to make any financial transactions outside the ordinary course of business.