Former South Carolina Representative Pleaded Guilty to Fraud
Marvin Pendarvis admitted to nine federal charges involving a scheme to misappropriate settlement funds from clients.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Financial Crime
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Former South Carolina House Representative Marvin Pendarvis pleaded guilty to nine federal fraud charges, including wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering. Pendarvis operated a scheme to divert client settlement funds through his private law practice.
Why it matters
The case highlights a significant breach of public trust involving an elected official and attorney who used his position to withhold payouts from clients. The legal proceedings underscore the federal crackdown on financial misconduct within private law practices.
Pendarvis pleaded guilty to nine federal counts in court on October 7, 2026. The former legislator faces varying penalties, including a maximum of 20 years in prison for wire fraud and a mandatory minimum of two years for identity theft.
The players
Marvin Pendarvis
He is a former member of the South Carolina House of Representatives who resigned following the unsealing of federal fraud charges.
The details
Pendarvis orchestrated his scheme by negotiating legal settlements without client authorization and forging signatures on documents. He withheld portions of payouts while allegedly attempting to pay one former client to stay silent regarding his personal injury claims.
Timeline
The fraud scheme occurred between January 2022 and April 2024.
A federal indictment was unsealed in November 2025.
Pendarvis entered his guilty plea on October 7, 2026.
Legal Context
This conviction follows a growing pattern of federal investigations targeting public officials who utilize professional licenses to facilitate financial crimes. It aligns with broader efforts to increase accountability for attorneys who violate fiduciary duties in high-stakes personal injury cases.
The resignation of a state representative and the suspension of his law license remove a specific public figure from office and legal practice. Residents in Charleston and Dorchester counties remain the primary parties affected by the underlying personal injury claims now tied to federal litigation.
The takeaway
Clients working with private attorneys should maintain direct contact with insurance carriers to verify the status of any settlement agreements. This case serves as a reminder that legal professionals must maintain transparency regarding all financial payouts to protect client interests.
Further reading
For additional context on regional cases, visit the Financial Crime section.
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