Joplin attorney to serve two years for embezzlement

A Joplin attorney who admitted to stealing nearly $600,000 from clients must serve two years in federal prison and pay more than $400,000 in additional restitution.

Daniel Whitworth, 58, admitted to embezzling money from 22 of his legal clients between 2004 and Oct. 2013 and spending that money on personal loans and items unrelated to the clients.

The crimes came to light after Whitworth’s bank, Mid-Missouri Bank, informed state authorities of potential forgery on a $60,000 check and an investigation ensued. Whitworth ultimately admitted to forging the name on the check and depositing the money, using about half the money to pay a tax debt for an unrelated client and putting the rest into his personal account.

An investigation revealed other instances of client-related fraud. Whitworth admitted in court that he embezzled approximately $576,739 from clients.

In March, Whitworth pleaded guilty to charges that included wire fraud, money laundering and false statements on tax returns. He faced up to 33 years in federal prison without parole, a fine of up to $750,000 and an order of restitution.

U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool on Thursday sentenced Whitworth to two years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Whitworth to pay $404,957 in additional restitution to his former clients and $72,810 to the government, the press release said.

Whitworth, who was licensed to practice law in Missouri in 1980, already voluntarily surrendered his law license in July, according to court records. The Missouri Supreme Court disbarred Whitworth on Aug. 26.