A former South Carolina state lawmaker, Marvin Pendarvis, has been indicted on federal charges for allegedly defrauding his legal clients. The indictment, handed down by a federal grand jury, includes 10 charges against Pendarvis, which comprise wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering. Pendarvis served as a Democrat representative for the Charleston area until his resignation, following a suspension of his law license amid accusations of misconduct.
Federal prosecutors report that between 2022 and 2024, Pendarvis negotiated financial settlements on behalf of his clients but failed to disclose that he had received the funds. Instead of passing the settlements to his clients, he is accused of pocketing the money, either failing to inform them that the funds were obtained or ultimately providing them with significantly lesser amounts than agreed upon. Authorities claim that he deposited over half a million dollars into his law firm’s trust fund account, yet paid nothing to his clients from that money.
Pendarvis's legal troubles began to surface after a former client accused him of forgery. The person alleged that Pendarvis had forged his signature to execute a settlement in a lawsuit without obtaining prior permission. Subsequently, the South Carolina Supreme Court suspended Pendarvis's law license, a decision that did not elaborate on the reasons for the suspension. The former client, whose initials align with one of the victims mentioned in the federal indictment, claimed that Pendarvis communicated with him via text messages, pressuring him not to pursue legal action regarding the alleged forgery.
In the text messages, Pendarvis reportedly wrote, "Let’s handle this (expletive). No need to try and hurt me man. I can help you," indicating an attempt to dissuade the client from seeking legal recourse. Following his election in a special election in 2017, Pendarvis was successful in securing three full terms but resigned approximately four months after his law license suspension, amid increasing scrutiny of his professional conduct.
Currently, Pendarvis is scheduled to appear in federal court on November 18, where he will face the charges brought against him by federal prosecutors. His indictment underscores the serious allegations of betrayal of trust and financial misconduct that have marred his political and legal career.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the ramifications of Pendarvis’s actions are likely to be closely monitored, considering the extensive implications for both his clients and his professional reputation within the legal community.
