Seminole lawyer accused of stealing more than $840K from 16 personal injury victims, Pinellas sheriff says
A Seminole lawyer, Christopher Michael Reynolds, 44, was arrested on multiple charges of money laundering and grand theft after stealing more than $840,000 from more than 15 personal injury victims.
Reynolds was operating a personal injury law firm in Seminole, targeting victims who were seeking help.
Once the personal injury victims retained Reynolds as their lawyer, he would settle their cases with insurance providers, but didn't pay the victim's medical bills or provide the victims their settlement money, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said.
Detectives said the Seminole lawyer would get the settlement money from insurance providers for his own benefit.
Detectives with the sheriff's office said they found 16 total victims of Reynolds and said he stole more than $840,000 combined. The Florida Supreme Court issued an emergency suspension order on Reynolds' Florida license to practice law back in December 2022, the sheriff said.
Detectives believe a portion of the stolen money was being used to buy drugs as well as pornography and prostitutes.
Sheriff Gualtieri said they are continuing to investigate the case and do believe there are more victims of Reynolds who have yet to come forward.
Anyone with information on the case or those who believe they may be a victim are asked to contact Detective Kakalow at (727) 582-6786.