From High-Roller to Federal Prison: Lawyer Sentenced for Stealing Nearly $9M to Fund Vegas Gambling Spree
- JB Quinnon
- May 9
- 2 min read
From High-Roller to Federal Prison: Lawyer Sentenced for Stealing Nearly $9M to Fund Vegas Gambling Spree
Sara King, a once-prominent California attorney, has been sentenced to 21 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud and money laundering. The charges stem from a scheme in which she embezzled approximately $8.7 million from investors under the guise of operating a high-end lending company, King Family Lending.
The business claimed to offer short-term, high-interest loans to wealthy clients—including athletes and celebrities—secured by luxury assets and sports contracts. But instead of following through on these claims, King diverted the funds for personal use. Much of the stolen money was spent on an extravagant lifestyle centered around Las Vegas, including prolonged stays at the Wynn resort and near-constant gambling.
Her behavior ultimately came under scrutiny in both criminal and civil court. In a civil lawsuit filed in 2023, LDR International, a lender based in the British Virgin Islands, accused King of defrauding them of $10.2 million. That lawsuit revealed she had lived at the Wynn for six months while gambling around the clock. When King failed to respond to the lawsuit, a default judgment was issued in LDR’s favor.
King’s defense team cited a history of substance abuse, including addiction to Xanax and a compulsive gambling disorder, as contributing factors. These personal struggles allegedly fueled her descent into isolation and criminal activity.
In addition to her prison sentence, King must serve three years of supervised release and pay restitution for the nearly $9 million she stole. She is scheduled to report to prison by July 14.
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