Missing Okla. Lawyer Found Dead in Seeming Suicide
An Oklahoma probate attorney who has been missing since last week was found dead today not far from his Lake Texoma home.
Charles Barnes, 57, had a single gunshot wound to the head, and appears to have committed suicide, reports a local ABC News affiliate.
He had been charged earlier this month with embezzling from a trust fund, and subsequently filed an application to resign from the Oklahoma bar, reports 7News.
Barnes allegedly repaid the estate the $148,000 it was owed with a forged check—which the bank cashed, Stephens County District Attorney Bret Burns tells 7News.
“What I am concerned about in this community is, is there other money owed to other victims,” the prosecutor tells the station. “We’re starting to get some phone calls from attorneys and different people, estates, divorces, and trusts, saying they’ve had similar problems with Charles Barnes.”
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “No Sign of Missing Okla. Attorney Accused of Embezzling”
