Hilton Head Lawyer Sentenced for Financial Crimes

A depiction of justice served in a courtroom setting.

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News Summary

Peter J. Strauss, a prominent Hilton Head lawyer, has been sentenced to nine months in federal prison for his role in financial crimes connected to a multi-million dollar fraud scheme. His involvement included transferring $3 million to obstruct authorities from seizing funds linked to an ongoing investigation into DC Solar. The case highlights the lasting repercussions of unethical legal practices and emphasizes the vigilance of federal agencies in maintaining financial integrity.

Hilton Head Lawyer Sentenced for Financial Crimes

Prominent Hilton Head lawyer Peter J. Strauss has found himself on the wrong side of the law after being sentenced to nine months in federal prison for his involvement in a web of financial crimes. The 46-year-old attorney, who is known as the founder of Strauss Law Firm, LLC, was convicted of knowingly transferring $3 million to obstruct government authorities from seizing funds linked to a solar company under investigation.

The Financial Malfeasance Unfolds

Strauss’s legal troubles began when evidence surfaced indicating he directed the illicit transfer of funds for Jeff and Paulette Carpoff, the individuals implicated in a sprawling financial scheme involving DC Solar, a company operating in California. On December 18, 2018, the FBI and other federal law enforcement agencies executed search and seizure warrants at locations tied to the Carpoffs as part of an extensive probe into an investment fraud and money laundering operation.

At the heart of this controversy lies Strauss’s connection with the Carpoffs, who were alleged masterminds behind a fraudulent business enterprise. During the investigation, Strauss received a staggering $11 million from the Carpoffs, with $5 million transferred into his trust account almost immediately after the search warrants were executed.

How the Scheme Operated

The timeline of financial exchanges paints a troubling picture. Initially, the $5 million was funneled to various criminal defense attorneys, bankruptcy counsel, and even to fund captive insurance schemes. Later, on December 28, 2018, the Carpoffs wired another $3 million intended primarily for their captive insurance premiums. Then, just weeks later on January 15, 2019, another wire transfer of $3 million further enriched Strauss’s trust account.

As the funds accumulated, they were swiftly depleted over the subsequent months, leading to heightened scrutiny and eventual legal consequences. Although the Carpoffs both faced significant prison terms for their involvement in financial fraud, Strauss too would not escape justice.

A Legal Reckoning

As the investigation progressed, Jeff Carpoff was sentenced to 30 years in prison for money laundering and wire fraud after pleading guilty in January 2020. Paulette Carpoff received a similar fate, convicted of conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and money laundering, resulting in an 11-year and three-month sentence.

Fast forward to November 2023, Strauss took a step that would seal his fate by pleading guilty to the removal of property to prevent seizure, fully admitting to his role in the $3 million transfer aimed at obstructing government authorities.

Judgment Day

U.S. District Attorney Richard M. Gergel handed down the sentence to Strauss, which consists of nine months of imprisonment, followed by two years of court-ordered supervision. Additionally, Strauss was mandated to pay $2.7 million in restitution—a sum he reportedly complied with as part of his plea agreement.

Peter J. Strauss’s punishment serves as a stark reminder of the legal and financial repercussions that can ensue when professionals choose to engage in unethical practices. In a world where financial integrity is paramount, his sentence marks another chapter in a troubling saga that deeply impacted the victims of the fraudulent operations masterminded by the Carpoffs, and highlights the vigilance that federal authorities maintain over the financial sector.