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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Lawyer Admits He Stole|$300,000 From Orphans

OKLAHOMA CITY (CN) - An Oklahoma attorney faces up to 195 years in prison after admitting he stole more than $300,000 from trust fund accounts of four orphans whose parents were killed in a car crash, federal prosecutors said.

John Milton Merritt, 74, of Oklahoma City, pleaded guilty to all 12 countsof bank fraud, money laundering and using the forged signature of a federal judge.

He admitted he stole the money by giving fake court orders to the Quail Creek Bank in Oklahoma City. He also admitted that he forged the signature of U.S. District Judge Vicki Miles-LaGrange to get $130,000 from another child's trust account.

Merritt faces up to 195 years in federal prison and up to $5.75 million in fines. Under a plea agreement, Merritt will forfeit $731,000 he gained from the crimes.

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