Mount Pleasant Lawyer Pleads Guilty in Multi-Million Dollar Laundering Case

William Christopher Swett, a suspended personal injury attorney, pleaded guilty March 19 to stealing $1.5 million from his Mount Pleasant law firm and clients. Federal prosecutors say the misconduct took place over roughly six years, beginning in 2018.

Charges and court appearance

Swett was charged in late February with four counts of wire fraud and four counts of money laundering. He admitted the allegations during a hearing before U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel.

Prosecutors filed a federal information, a charging document similar to an indictment. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Limehouse described the scheme as involving “layers and layers” of deceit.

How the scheme worked

While handling asbestos and mesothelioma cases at the Motley Rice office, Swett fabricated personal injury and death claims. He used falsified medical records and fake communications to obtain reimbursement checks.

He billed for expenses he never incurred, including meetings, hotels and flights. Swett also funneled client funds into two businesses he created to conceal his gains.

Discovery and investigation

The scheme unraveled in March 2024 after a bank flagged a check made out to one of Swett’s shell companies. The bank alerted the law firm, which launched an internal probe.

Motley Rice reported the activity to state and federal authorities. Prosecutors say dozens of the firm’s clients were harmed by the fraud.

People connected to the case

Prosecutors initially considered whether Swett’s wife participated. She had worked as his paralegal before they married in 2021.

Officials later described her as a victim and said she likely will not face charges. Defense attorney Nathan Williams pushed back on some comparisons made in court to other high-profile legal frauds.

Bail, supervision and professional consequences

U.S. Magistrate Judge Molly Cherry set unsecured bail at $50,000. Swett will not pay that amount unless he fails to appear for court.

Cherry ordered probation supervision and barred the couple from discussing case details. The South Carolina Supreme Court suspended his law license in 2024.

Background and next steps

Swett graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law and joined the state bar in 2009. His license was listed as not in good standing on March 19.

Prosecutors say the admitted $1.5 million loss may understate the full fraud. Evidence presented at sentencing could show a larger theft in this multi-million laundering case involving a Mount Pleasant lawyer.