CHARLESTON, S.C. — Former South Carolina state Rep. Marvin Pendarvis (D) has been indicted on federal charges alleging he defrauded clients of more than $500,000 while working as an attorney. A federal grand jury returned a 10-count indictment Wednesday, charging him with wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering.
Prosecutors say that between 2022 and 2024, Pendarvis negotiated financial settlements for clients but failed to inform them that he had received the funds. Instead, he allegedly deposited the money into his law firm’s trust account and kept it for personal use. In some cases, clients reportedly received reduced payments or none at all.
Pendarvis’ law license was suspended last year following accusations that he forged a client’s signature on a settlement agreement. Text messages cited in court filings show Pendarvis allegedly asking the client not to pursue legal action.
The former Charleston-area legislator, first elected in 2017, resigned from the state House four months after his license suspension. He is scheduled to appear in federal court on November 18.
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