Charleston, South Carolina — Former South Carolina state representative Marvin Pendarvis (D) has been indicted on federal accusations that he scammed clients out of more than $500,000 while acting as an attorney. On Wednesday, a federal grand jury delivered a 10-count indictment charging him with wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and money laundering.
Prosecutors claim that between 2022 and 2024, Pendarvis arranged financial settlements for clients but failed to notify them that the payments had been received. Instead, he allegedly transferred the funds to his legal firm’s trust account and kept them for personal use. In some circumstances, clients reportedly received decreased or no payments at all.
Pendarvis’ legal license was suspended last year after allegations surfaced that he falsified a client’s signature on a settlement agreement. According to court documents, Pendarvis allegedly asked the client not to pursue legal action via text conversations.
The former Charleston-area member, elected in 2017, resigned from the state House four months after his license was suspended. He is set to appear in federal court on November 18.
