A West Virginia attorney who defrauded clients out of more than $700,000 is headed to federal prison. 62-year old
Paul Harris of Wheeling, was sentenced to 97 months behind bars for fraud and money laundering, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia.
Prosecutors say Harris diverted money from a client trust account into his law firm’s account and used those funds for personal expenses, including buying a home and paying off a business loan.
In total, victims lost more than $701,000.
Harris is scheduled to report to prison May 6, and prosecutors say they are seeking restitution.