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Indianapolis attorney charged with theft from client's trust fund

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Posted at 8:10 PM, Jun 10, 2019
and last updated 2019-06-10 20:10:43-04

INDIANAPOLIS — Marion County prosecutors charged Indianapolis attorney Kenneth "Shane" Service with multiple felonies for allegedly stealing from a client's trust account.

According to a release from the prosecutor's office, Service was charged with corrupt business influence and three counts of theft after an investigation revealed he mishandled more than $43,000 from a client's trust account and used unauthorized withdrawals from the account for personal use after he was hired to manage it.

The investigation began in March 2018 after the client reported Service had failed to provide her with appropriate funds from the account after she hired him in 2014.

Prosecutors believe Service only provided the client with $2,000 from the account, and bank records showed he allegedly made six unauthorized transactions from the account totaling $43,725.43. Service allegedly made one cash withdrawal for more than $22,100.

“The victim in this matter literally entrusted the victim’s funds to Service, who is then alleged to have abused her faith in Service,” Marion County prosecutor Terry Curry said. “Professionals such as Service must be held to higher standard of conduct, and we will hold them accountable if they take advantage of their position of trust.”

Service has three additional pending cases in Delaware, Franklin and Lawrence Counties for the alleged theft trust funds.

There is an active arrest warrant out for Service.