A former attorney from Houston has pleaded guilty to charges of conspiring to commit mail fraud and filing a false tax return, as announced by U.S. Attorney Nicholas Ganjei.
Clyde J. Moore admitted to defrauding clients of millions in personal injury settlement funds over nearly a decade, from 2012 to 2021. Along with others at his firm, including Mark Broussard, Moore misled clients regarding medical expenses and redirected money for personal use. The scheme was operated through his firm, Clyde J. Moore Attorney at Law P.C.
Moore and associates inflated medical costs and falsely informed injured clients that the firm had paid certain providers more than it actually had, leading to reduced settlement shares for clients.
The embezzled funds were used by Moore for personal expenses such as purchasing two Ferrari sports cars, paying private school tuition for his children, and funding an investment account. He also distributed stolen funds among Broussard and other firm members involved in the scheme.
The total losses from the fraud amounted to approximately $2.4 million.
As part of his plea agreement, Moore will pay restitution exceeding $500,000 to the IRS for taxes owed due to years of falsified tax returns that understated his income. He has also agreed to compensate affected clients in an amount that will be determined by the court later.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 8 before U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks. Moore faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison for conspiracy and up to three years for tax fraud, along with potential fines up to $250,000.
Mark Broussard had previously pleaded guilty to similar charges and is awaiting sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by IRS Criminal Investigation with Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Johnson prosecuting the case.
