California attorney Sara King has been sentenced to 21 months in prison after embezzling nearly $9 million in investor funds to fuel her Las Vegas gambling addiction and lavish lifestyle.
At a Glance
- Newport Beach lawyer Sara King was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for wire fraud and money laundering
- King embezzled $8.7 million from five investors, using their money for gambling and luxury purchases including a $132,156 Porsche
- She has been ordered to pay $8,785,045 in restitution to her victims
- King’s law license has been suspended as she faces likely disbarment
- Despite facing a potential 20-year sentence, King received less time after pleading guilty and assisting prosecutors in another case
From Trusted Attorney to Financial Fraudster
Sara King, a 41-year-old California attorney, operated a sophisticated lending scheme that targeted wealthy investors. Through her self-named business, King Lending, she claimed to offer high-interest, short-term loans to professional athletes, celebrities, and other high-net-worth individuals. King told investors these loans would be secured by luxury items, promising substantial returns. The business model seemed legitimate on paper, backed by her credentials as a licensed attorney, which helped earn the trust of her victims.
Instead of funding legitimate loans as promised, King diverted investors’ money directly to fund her gambling addiction and extravagant lifestyle. She lived at the Wynn Las Vegas resort, purchased luxury goods, and bought a Porsche Taycan worth $132,156 using investor funds. Court records show that not a single promised loan was ever actually funded. King went as far as falsifying loan documents to continue the scheme and maintain the illusion of a legitimate business operation.
The Fall From Grace and Legal Consequences
King’s fraudulent operation began to unravel when financial institution LDR International Limited filed a civil lawsuit against her, accusing her of defrauding them of approximately $10.2 million. As investigations progressed, the full scope of her crimes became clear. On July 24, 2023, King pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges, admitting to embezzling $8.7 million from five different investors.
“King, 41, used her self-named lending business to give short-term, high-interest loans to professional athletes, celebrities, and other high-net-worth individuals.” reports say.
While facing a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, U.S. District Judge David O. Carter ultimately sentenced King to 21 months behind bars. The judge also ordered her to pay $8,785,045 in restitution to her victims and serve three years of supervised release after completing her prison term. King’s law license has been suspended, and she now faces disbarment proceedings that will likely end her legal career permanently.
Defense Arguments and Personal Struggles
During court proceedings, King’s defense team painted a picture of a woman struggling with severe addiction issues. Her attorney, Sam Cross, argued for a lighter sentence, citing her abuse of Xanax, excessive drinking, and gambling addiction as contributing factors in her criminal behavior. King herself claimed that her ex-husband had pressured her to gamble away the funds, though the court appeared unconvinced by this explanation.
In an unusual move before her sentencing, King appeared on the “Lady Mafia” podcast to discuss her crimes. Following her conviction, she attempted to rebuild her life by checking into a rehabilitation facility and securing employment at Nordstrom, though she subsequently lost this job due to the high-profile nature of her case. King did receive some consideration at sentencing for assisting prosecutors in a separate case against John Tamahere McCabe, which may have contributed to her receiving less than the maximum possible sentence.
