Former SC Rep. Marvin Pendarvis pleads guilty to nine charges in federal fraud scheme

(WCIV) — Former South Carolina State Rep. Marvin Pendarvis pleaded guilty Wednesday to nine federal charges tied to a scheme involving fraudulent legal settlements negotiated through his private law practice.

Marvin Pendarvis walks into court in Charleston, SC on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. (WCIV)

Pendarvis entered guilty pleas to four counts of wire fraud, three counts of aggravated identity theft and two counts of money laundering. The charges were part of a federal indictment unsealed in November 2025.

Federal prosecutors alleged Pendarvis negotiated and received settlement payments without his clients’ knowledge and withheld portions of lawsuit payouts by failing to disclose the full settlement amounts. The scheme involved four separate settlements handled through his law practice.

According to the indictment, Pendarvis obtained at least $532,000 through the scheme, which prosecutors said occurred between January 2022 and at least April 2024.

Each of the four wire fraud convictions carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,00. The two money laundering convictions each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,00. The three aggravated identity theft convictions each carry a mandatory minimum sentence of two years in prison and up to three years of supervised release.

Pendarvis resigned from the South Carolina House of Representatives after allegations surfaced, and it was revealed he settled legal cases without clients’ authorization and forged signatures on settlement documents.

One former client alleged Pendarvis settled personal injury claims. involving the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office without his knowledge and later attempted to pay him to remain silent about the matter,

Following those allegations, Pendarvis’ law license was temporarily suspended, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division launched an investigation.