Lawyer Sentenced for $8M Fraud Spree at Vegas Casinos

While she spent some time hanging out with celebrities and flashing her lifestyle on social media, California lawyer Sara Jacqueline King was sentenced after an elaborate fraud scheme was exposed. 

King admitted to embezzling over $8 million from clients and investors to fund a gambling habit at Las Vegas, Nevada casinos.

Now, she’ll be behind bars for nearly two years. 

This isn't the first time a California lawyer has gambled away client money. In October 2024, Sergio Valdovinos Ramirez was disbarred for stealing about $116k from clients. 

A Glamorous Facade

In addition to being a lawyer, King founded King Family Lending. This company promised short-term, high-interest loans to celebrities and athletes. 

King posted photos with NFL stars Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady to help establish credibility.

However, what those on the other end didn’t know was that all of the flashy goods, be it watches, cars, or yachts, weren’t real. 

According to prosecutors, King gambled nearly $7 million of the stolen funds at casinos in Las Vegas. 

After going to court in 2023, King was spotted at a Vegas casino shortly after. 

At one point, she had less than $12 in her bank account after she spent investors funds on designer goods and slots. 

Embraced the “Lady Mafia” Nickname on a Podcast

After pleading guilty to charges of money laundering and fraud, she appeared on “The Binge Crime Podcast” in late 2024 and embraced her nickname “Lady Mafia” and claimed that she could “sell fire to the Devil.” 

Her defense attorney tried to argue that alcohol, drug, and gambling issues played a role in King’s scheme. He also said it was attributed to her isolation from loved ones that led her to go on this multi-million dollar fraud scheme. 

However, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Waier focused on King’s arrogance and deception. For example, she used fake photos and forged documents to get a $195,000 loan backed by luxury watches. 

It was revealed that those assets were either rented or photos taken in stores. 

'It was brazen,' Waier said of King's scam. 'It went on for a long time. This defendant is a lawyer. She had the trust of the public.'

Final Sentencing

One of the victims of King’s scheme was a friend of her ex-husband, Kamran Pahlavi.

“This wasn't a mistake, the investor wrote. 

“It was an elaborate, sustained scheme built on lie after lie. What she did took planning, effort, and cold disregard for the damage it would cause.

“She took not only my money, but my peace, my trust in others, and my ability to feel safe in my relationships,” they added. 

Judge David O. Carter sentenced King to one year and nine months in federal prison and ordered restitution of $8.8 million.