TOPEKA — A former Topeka lawyer has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $460,000 from clients’ trust funds. Robert Telthorst, 52, Topeka, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said. Telthorst admitted that from November 2005 to August 2011 he created what was in essence a Ponzi scheme in which he took clients’ money and used it both to benefit himself and to cover up the fact he was taking money from other trust funds, Grissom said. Among the victims, a charitable trust of $80,000 for the Kansas University School of Business, which was looted until there was less than $1,750. Sentencing is Feb. 19. Both parties have agreed to recommend a sentence of five years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Telthorst will also be ordered to pay restitution of $461,000.
Monday, Nov. 19, 10 a.m.
