Wheeling attorney Paul Harris was sentenced on Mar. 23 to 97 months in federal prison for defrauding clients and money laundering, according to U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey.
The case highlights concerns about trust between attorneys and their clients, as well as the consequences of breaching that trust. The sentence also includes restitution efforts aimed at compensating victims.
A federal jury found Harris, age 62, guilty in November 2025 of 29 counts related to his misuse of client funds. Prosecutors said Harris used money from his client trust account for personal expenses, including buying a home and paying off a law office loan, without client permission. He also moved funds between accounts and sometimes used one client’s money to cover shortfalls created by misappropriating from others. The total loss reported in the case is $701,623.86.
U.S. Attorney Harvey said: “Citizens should trust lawyers to protect their rights and interests, not to have their money stolen.” He added: “Harris broke that trust, and the law, and now he will pay with time in prison.” Harvey further stated: “this office will leave no stone unturned in pursuing full restitution to make the victims whole.”
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jarod J. Douglas and Jennifer T. Conklin prosecuted the case with investigations conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation division.
U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey ordered both forfeiture of property belonging to Harris Law Offices in Wheeling as well as $701,623.86 in restitution payments for victims affected by Harris’s actions.
Harris is scheduled to self-report to prison on May 6.
