Disbarred Florida lawyer sentenced to 33 months in prison for stealing over $600,000 from clients

Pembroke Pines, Florida – A former Florida lawyer is headed to prison after admitting to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars that had been entrusted to him by clients.

John Spencer Jenkins, once a practicing attorney in Fort Lauderdale, has been sentenced to 33 months in federal prison for wire fraud and money laundering, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced. The charges stem from his misuse of more than $600,000 in client funds that were supposed to be handled through his law firm’s Interest on Trust Account (IOTA).

According to plea documents, Jenkins’ clients had wired payments to his law firm to cover legal services or to distribute estate funds to named beneficiaries. Rather than transferring the funds as instructed, Jenkins kept the money for himself, using it for personal expenses.

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One particularly serious case involved funds sent by an executor of an estate who trusted Jenkins to distribute money to heirs. Instead, he redirected the estate money for personal use. “The estate’s executor sent him funds to distribute to the client’s chosen recipients– however, those funds were pocketed for personal use.”

Federal prosecutors emphasized that Jenkins’ actions betrayed the trust of his clients and abused the responsibilities of his legal profession. “The judge highlighted the importance of holding lawyers accountable due to their position in holding the trust of the public.”

Jenkins has since been disbarred and is no longer permitted to practice law in the state of Florida. The 33-month sentence is part of a broader effort by federal authorities to crack down on white-collar crime and ensure that legal professionals are held to high ethical standards.

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The case serves as a reminder that the legal system depends on the honesty of those who represent it. With client funds involved, the consequences of betrayal can be severe—and in this case, criminal.

The DOJ has not released additional details about how Jenkins spent the stolen money or whether restitution will be made to victims. However, the court’s decision sends a strong message: misuse of client trust will not go unpunished.