A former South Florida attorney, John Spencer Jenkins, 54, has been charged with wire fraud and money laundering for allegedly embezzling nearly $650,000 from a client’s estate. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida reported that Jenkins, who had already lost his legal practicing privileges, is accused of diverting the funds intended for the heirs into his own accounts while serving as a trustee.
John Spencer Jenkins, a former Fort Lauderdale attorney, has been charged with wire fraud and money laundering for allegedly embezzling nearly $650,000 from a client’s estate. Arrested in Philadelphia, Jenkins is accused of diverting estate funds into his firm's trust account and then laundering the money through other accounts. The indictment, announced by the U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe and FBI Special Agent Jeffrey B. Veltri detail three counts of wire fraud and three counts of money laundering. Each count of wire fraud carries a maximum 20-year prison term, while each money laundering count carries up to 10 years.
Jenkins had his initial court appearance scheduled for 1:30 PM before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Philadelphia. He maintains his presumption of innocence until proven guilty in court. The case is being investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller. For updates and case documents, visit the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida or the District Court's website under case number 24-cr-60172.
