Most people who say "I am told" are sharing with us the brilliant insights they picked up from the village idiot. If you are being told something by your lawyer, follow your lawyer's advice.

Based upon the facts you've presented, I think you should return home - ideally before you hit the 180 day overstay mark triggering a three year period of ineligibility to reenter. If you want to try to scam your way around U.S. immigration laws, and the aforementioned person isn't your immigration lawyer, retain an immigration lawyer to advise you.