Joplin lawyer admits he stole money from clients

A Joplin attorney admitted in federal court Monday that he stole more than $586,000 from clients, pleading guilty to charges including wire fraud and money laundering.

Daniel D. Whitworth, 58, who owned a Joplin law practice, must surrender his law license under the terms of his plea agreement, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney Tammy Dickinson of the Western District of Missouri.

Whitworth admitted to embezzling the money from 22 legal clients between 2004 and last October and spending the money on personal loans and other expenses not related to the clients, the news release said.

Complaints to the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel of the Missouri Supreme Court prompted the investigation into Whitworth’s case, and investigators reviewed bank records and spoke to former clients to determine that Whitworth had taken the money. Although he claimed the money would be used to resolve clients’ cases, he then put the money into his attorney trust account or personal bank account, the news release said.

He also admitted to failing to report the embezzled money on personal income tax returns.

A sentencing hearing will be set, and Whitworth could face up to 33 years in federal prison without parole, a fine up to $750,000 and an order of restitution.