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Attorney Faces Federal Charges for Alleged Theft of $587,000 from Estates

The Federal Court House in Downtown Tulsa
10th Circuit Court
The Federal Court House in Downtown Tulsa

A Tulsa probate attorney faces federal charges after allegedly taking more than half a million dollars from 11 estates he represented.

IRS special agent Damon Rowe said Christopher Mansfield was expected to uphold the law and serve his clients with integrity.

"Mr. Mansfield was entrusted by grieving families to handle the estates of their family members. He was entrusted with the money of those estates, and he was supposed to dispense that money in the clients' best interest. This didn't happen," Rowe said.

Mansfield faces up to 40 years in prison and more than $1 million in fines on federal charges of bank fraud and an unlawful transaction. Prosecutors are trying to get back the $587,030.79 they said Mansfield stole but acknowledge that may be impossible. U.S Attorney Danny Williams said the money was spent on Mansfield’s credit card debt and an extensive cocaine habit.

"I hope by this prosecution that lawyers will see that you're putting yourself in peril," Williams said. "If you decide to defraud your clients or steal from your clients, not only will the state look at you, but there's a good likelihood that the federal government will prosecute you."

Mansfield pleaded not guilty Thursday; however, prosecutors and his attorneys needed more time to work out the details of a plea agreement. Mansfield left the federal courthouse without commenting on the case.

Williams wants people to do their due diligence when they need an attorney.

"It's OK to get references and second opinions," Williams said. "I never understood why people would hire people out of the Yellow Pages. Call your local bar association, and see if there have been any complaints about these people before you hire them."

Matt Trotter joined KWGS as a reporter in 2013. Before coming to Public Radio Tulsa, he was the investigative producer at KJRH. His freelance work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times and on MSNBC and CNN.