A Geogira attorney, Gary Wisenbaker, plead guilty to a wire fraud charge in relation to defrauding his own clients.
According to evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing, Wisenbaker stole money from his clients by settling civil cases without his clients’ knowledge, and then pocketing the settlement payments.
Wisenbaker then used these monies to pay off personal expenses, including payments for a mortgage, credit cards, car loans and school tuition.
To cover up his fraud, Wisenbaker falsely told his clients that their cases were still pending, when in reality Wisenbaker had settled the cases months or even years earlier. In total, Wisenbaker defrauded his clients out of more than $50,000.
United States Attorney Edward Tarver said, “As an attorney, this defendant abused his authority to act on behalf of his clients and betrayed the trust that they placed in him. This office will continue to investigate and prosecute individuals who use positions of trust to steal from others. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to combating financial crimes.”
Wisenbaker faces a maximum statutory penalty of twenty years imprisonment; a fine of $250,000; and three years of supervised release. Wisenbaker remains free on bond pending sentence. A sentencing date will be scheduled following completion of a presentence investigation and report – Source.
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