Charleston, South Carolina — A federal grand jury indicted Marvin Rashad Pendarvis, 36, of Charleston, on 10 counts of wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering.
According to the indictment, Pendarvis, a personal injury attorney licensed by the State of South Carolina and member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, pursued claims, filed lawsuits, and negotiated settlements on behalf of his clients while forging client signatures and failing to pay clients any portion of settlement funds. Pendarvis got at least $532,000 in settlement monies as part of the plan, but he did not pay any of the funds to his clients.
Pendarvis faces a possible 20-year sentence for wire fraud and money laundering charges. Pendarvis will also receive a mandatory two-year jail sentence for each count of aggravated identity theft.
Pendarvis was arraigned by US Magistrate Judge Molly Cherry on November 18 and released on a $50,000 personal recognizance bond.
The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation investigated this case. Amy Bower and Whit Sowards, assistant United States attorneys, are prosecuting the case.
All of the counts in the indictment are mere accusations, and defendants are deemed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
