Attorney charged with stealing $1M to plead guilty

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A South Carolina attorney accused of extorting $1 million from his clients has agreed to plead guilty to mail fraud.

A plea agreement signed by federal prosecutors and Richard Breibart was filed this week in federal court.

Breibart had been scheduled for trial later this summer on charges of extortion, mail fraud and wire fraud. He faces up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines, but prosecutors have agreed to recommend a lower sentence.

Indictments list three people who allegedly cleaned out bank accounts, investments and retirement savings to give to Breibart.

Prosecutors say he got money from clients by threatening them with criminal charges or non-existent civil penalties.

___

Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP