US Lawyer Sentenced for Embezzlement

A lawyer in the United States has received a 21-month prison sentence after embezzling about $8.7 million from a client to support her gambling activities. Saraja Clean King, the lawyer in question, pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and money laundering.

Operating under the name King Family Lending LLC, the 41-year-old from California lured investors with promises of short-term, high-interest loans offered to celebrities and high-profile individuals. This fraudulent scheme ran from January 2022 to January 2023.

According to prosecutors, King misled investors into thinking their money was secured by the same collateral as the loans. However, she failed to fund the loans and instead funneled the money into her own lifestyle and gambling, particularly in Las Vegas.

The lawsuit revealed that a significant portion of the funds was used for gambling and for maintaining a lavish lifestyle. King reportedly lived at the Wynn Las Vegas Resort and believed she was gambling around the clock.

While King’s attorney, Sam Cross, received a lenient six-month sentence, U.S. Attorney Jennifer Weyer argued that the victim’s losses warranted a stricter punishment, especially given King’s position as a lawyer.

Weyer also noted that before her sentencing, King appeared on the “Lady Mafia” podcast where she openly discussed her crimes. Weyer remarked on the brazen nature of King’s actions, stating she had led a deceptive life for an extended period.