Former Attorney Pleads Guitly To Defrauding Her Clients

A former attorney who defrauded over a dozen clients pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids.

Susan Hense, 54, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was convicted of one count of wire fraud.

In a plea agreement, Hense admitted that she knowingly made up a scheme to defraud the clients of her law firm, Hense Law PLC, and to obtain money from her clients under false pretenses and promises.  Hense admitted that she falsely represented to her clients that money belonging to them would be held in trust on their behalf in a bank account when, in fact, Hense intended to steal at least a portion of the clients’ money.  Hense further admitted that over a three year period, she stole and misappropriated at least $837,011.31 in client funds.  Hense has since been disbarred and can no longer practice law in Iowa. 

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Hense remains free on conditions of release set by the court pending sentencing.  Hense faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine, $100 in special assessments, and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.  Hense has also agreed to pay restitution to the victims of her offense.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt and was investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department. 

Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov.  The case file number is 14-CR-109.