A Topeka lawyer was sentenced Tuesday to five years in federal prison for orchestrating a "Ponzi" scheme that defrauded clients out of more than $500,000, including funds intended for Kansas University.
Robert M. Telthorst, 52, pleaded guilty in November to wire fraud charges, including diverting nearly $80,000 provided by “Albert and Bertha J" in May 2010 to support a charitable trust for the Kansas University School of Business.
According to court records, Telthorst instead used the money to further support a scheme he devised with several other client-funding sources.
By April 2011, the trust to benefit KU had been drained to less than $1,800. In addition, Telthorst was accused of defrauding several other clients of more than $460,000.
All of the funds diverted were either used for Telthorst’s personal benefit or to replenish funds he had diverted from other clients, the indictment alleges.
Telthorst — who has since been disbarred — was ordered to pay more than $537,000 in restitution.
Comments
neworleans 3 months, 4 weeks ago
Typical lawyer...........crooks..............
gsjpom 3 months, 4 weeks ago
So very harsh. remember, it is the 98% of lawyers that make the other 2 % look bad.
irtnog2001 3 months, 4 weeks ago
He was just trying to recoup some of his lost Ku tuition
Old_Oread_Phart 3 months, 4 weeks ago
And yet not a single banker on Wall Street has served any time for the largest financial pillage in world history.
rvjayhawk 3 months, 3 weeks ago
They all were given a choice. Contribute $$$ to the Obama campaign, or go to jail.
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