WHEELING, W.Va. — A Wheeling attorney was convicted of fraud and money laundering today for fraudulently handling client funds and using client money for unlawful monetary transactions, U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey announced.

A federal jury found Paul J. Harris, 62, of Wheeling, guilty of 29 counts. Testimony presented to the jury indicated Harris used client funds for personal expenses, including the purchase of his home and paying for his law office, without clients’ permission. Harris moved funds from his client trust account to his law firm operating account, at times using one client’s money to pay funds he had misappropriated from other clients.

The government is seeking a monetary judgment, restitution for the victims, and the forfeiture of the property of Harris Law Offices in

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