A federal district judge in Ft. Lauderdale has sentenced John Spencer Jenkins, a disbarred lawyer from South Florida, to 33 months in prison for misappropriating over $750,000 of his clients’ funds.
Court documents and statements made during the sentencing hearing revealed that Jenkins’ clients transferred money into his law firm’s Interest on Trust Account (IOTA) and general business account to receive legal services. In one case involving an estate, Jenkins was entrusted with managing asset distribution but instead diverted the funds for personal use.
Judge David S. Leibowitz underscored the need for accountability among lawyers due to their role in maintaining public trust.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and FBI Miami Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles. The investigation was conducted by FBI Miami, with Assistant United States Attorney Altanese Phenelus prosecuting the case.
For more information, related court documents can be accessed on the District Court for the Southern District of Florida’s website or through PACER under case number 24-CR-60172-DSL.
