Lawyer Pleads Guilty to Embezzling From His Clients

A prominent Santa Ana lawyer pleaded guilty Wednesday to embezzling nearly $2 million from his clients, according to Orange County Dist. Atty. Michael R. Capizzi.

Michael T. Kenney, formerly an assistant U.S. attorney and FBI agent, pleaded guilty to 11 counts of grand theft for diverting $1.9 million given to him by 14 clients to pay fines and settle civil lawsuits.

Kenney, 48, faces a maximum of seven years in prison and restitution of more than $1 million when he is sentenced July 6, Capizzi said.

At least a dozen civil lawsuits were also filed against him by former clients.

Kenney first came under scrutiny after the county probation department did not receive $300,000 in restitution from two of his clients, according to court documents. The clients were able to demonstrate that the money had been deposited into Kenney’s bank account.

When Kenney became aware he was under investigation, he contacted prosecutors to arrange to meet with them to discuss the matter, but he always canceled the meetings, according to court documents.

Kenney was arrested June 21, 1991, in a Sylmar motel.