Disbarred Evansville Attorney Faces Fraud Charges

A former lawyer stands accused of illegally practicing law and defrauding a client in Evansville.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Financial Crime

Disbarred Evansville Attorney Faces Fraud Charges

Live Poll

Do you verify the professional credentials of anyone you hire for legal or financial services?

Police have charged 41-year-old disbarred attorney Jared Thomas with forgery, fraud, and the unauthorized practice of law. Thomas allegedly took $950 from a client to expunge a criminal record while falsely claiming to handle the necessary legal filings.

Why it matters

This case highlights the risks posed to the public when disbarred individuals continue to offer legal services, potentially leaving vulnerable clients without legitimate representation or recourse. It serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying an attorney's current standing before engaging their services.

Jared Thomas faces formal charges of forgery, fraud, and practice of law by a non-attorney. The legal proceedings follow his previous felony conviction for check deception.

The players

Jared Thomas

He is a 41-year-old disbarred attorney with a prior felony conviction for check deception who is accused of continuing to practice law.

The details

After his disbarment, Thomas allegedly met with a client and accepted payment to expunge a criminal record. He reportedly blamed a paralegal for filing false documents without his knowledge when confronted about the status of the paperwork.

October 26, 2026: Police reported the formal charges against Jared Thomas.

Legal Context

This case underscores the enforcement challenges inherent in the Indiana Supreme Court's rules on attorney disbarment. Such incidents demonstrate the difficulty of preventing unauthorized legal activity after an attorney has lost their license to practice.

Residents should verify the credentials of any legal representative through official state bar associations before paying for services. Victims of similar schemes are encouraged to report unauthorized activity to local authorities to protect the community.

The takeaway

Always confirm that an attorney is currently licensed by checking state registry databases before entering into a retainer agreement. This simple step can prevent significant financial loss and ensure that legal matters are handled by authorized professionals.