Lowcountry Attorney Charged with Defrauding $1.5M from Mt. Pleasant Law Firm and Clients
CHARLESTON, S.C. / Tuesday, February 24, 2026 — William Christopher Swett, 42, of Johns Island, has been charged with wire fraud and money laundering for defrauding his employer and clients of at least $1.5 million.
According to the charging documents, Swett worked as a personal injury attorney at a Mt. Pleasant law firm and represented individuals in civil claims following death, injury, and other loss. From at least 2018 through 2024, Swett devised a scheme to defraud the law firm and his clients. To further his scheme, Swett established legal services companies and expensed the law firm and his clients for services not performed and for inflated and illegitimate expenses. Swett withheld his association with these companies from his clients and the law firm.
Swett also submitted reimbursement requests for fictitious clients, fabricated death and personal injury claims, and falsified medical records and other documents to further his fraud. To conceal his crimes, Swett laundered the funds through accounts he controlled and siphoned the money for his own personal enrichment. Swett fraudulently obtained at least $1.5 million.
Swett has agreed to plead guilty to four counts of wire fraud and four counts of money laundering. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. He also faces a fine of up to $250,000, restitution, and three years of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment.
This case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Limehouse is prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Attorney's Office, District of South Carolina
