Former San Antonio Attorney Christopher John Pettit, 56, has been sentenced to 50 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to charges of fraud and money laundering.

Pettit, who operated Chris Pettit and Associates, PC, deceived clients over a span of more than 20 years, convincing them to deposit money for various services such as living trusts, estate planning, and investments. Instead of utilizing these funds as promised, Pettit diverted them for personal gain, running what authorities described as a Ponzi-type scheme.

Among his deceptive tactics, Pettit would open trustee accounts with client funds and transfer the money to his own accounts rather than using it for the intended purposes. Additionally, he falsely assured clients of high-yield investments, only to redirect the funds into his personal account. He also misrepresented himself as a Qualified Intermediary for real estate exchanges, persuading clients to wire millions of dollars into accounts he controlled, which he then misappropriated for personal use.

The fraudulent activities orchestrated by Pettit resulted in estimated losses ranging from $20 million to $65 million for his victims. His guilty plea, entered on October 5, 2023, included three counts of wire fraud and three counts of money laundering.

“This case began with one victim filing a complaint before the investigation unraveled a massive and deceptive criminal scheme,” remarked U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. He commended the efforts of law enforcement agencies involved, including the Fair Oaks Ranch Police Department and the FBI, in uncovering the extent of Pettit's crimes.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Aaron G. Tapp emphasized Pettit's abuse of trust, stating, “Christopher Pettit used his position of trust as an attorney to defraud his clients of millions of dollars, in some cases their life savings, all for his own selfish benefit.” He further highlighted the FBI's commitment to holding accountable those who exploit their positions for personal enrichment.

The investigation into Pettit's activities was a collaborative effort involving the FBI, Texas State Securities Board, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Fair Oaks Ranch Police Department.