Ex-Valpo attorney pleads guilty to wire fraud, money laundering

Former Valparaiso lawyer Clark Holesinger will plead guilty to federal wire fraud and money-laundering charges accusing him of stealing $2 million, according to an information announced Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana.

U.S. Attorney David Capp of the Northern District of Indiana said in a statement that Holesinger, 53, will plead guilty at a change of plea hearing at 1:15 p.m. Wednesday before District Judge Robert L. Miller in South Bend. Holesinger’s federal plea also stipulates that he will plead guilty to state charges in Porter County that he stole at least $1.6 million from clients.

From 2008 through 2013, Holesinger had 14 bank accounts over which he had signature authority in a personal capacity, through power of attorney, or as a guardian, the federal charges say. Holesinger is accused of stealing a medical malpractice settlement of $612,000 meant for the future medical and living expenses of a child who in 1999 suffered permanent injuries during birth.

“Holesinger never transmitted the funds to be invested as promised and concealed this fact from the parents of minor child for the next five (5) years,” the information says. “Holesinger used the money for personal expenses, expenses related to his law practice and additional expenses not authorized by the client.”

TThe former attorney also is accused of using for his own purposes money clients directed him to invest in IRAs for purposes such as land development or home construction and sale. The information says Holesinger committed wire fraud by transferring this money to his law office from an Ohio trust company and using the money for his own purposes.

Rather than answer proceedings before the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission, Holesinger resigned from the bar in March 2014. He faces five felony counts in state court of stealing more than $1.6 million from business clients he represented.