A former attorney from Lake Wales, Jason Penrod, now faces an expanded set of legal challenges after prosecutors added approximately 30 counts of money laundering to his existing charges. Initially arrested in September on allegations of misusing nearly $1.8 million from a client’s trust fund, Penrod appeared in Polk County court before Judge Cassandra Denmark on Thursday. During this hearing, Assistant State Attorney Matthew Hendry requested an increase in bond due to the significant sums involved. Consequently, Denmark ordered that Penrod be held without bond. Penrod, who founded and owned Family Elder Law with offices in Lakeland, Lake Wales, and Sebring, has pleaded not guilty to the original charge and did not enter a plea regarding the new accusations. The firm specialized in various legal services including estate planning and asset protection.

The case against Penrod began to unfold when a former associate discovered and reported his misuse of client funds to The Florida Bar. Subsequently, Penrod self-reported his actions to the Florida Supreme Court. This led to the permanent revocation of his law license in November. The newly filed charges allege that Penrod engaged in money laundering activities between April 2023 and April 2024, attempting to conceal the origins of the stolen funds or evade transaction reporting requirements. Additionally, he is accused of another instance of theft involving more than $100,000 from Mary Ann Sparks and/or the Kurt Sparks Living Trust between February and April 2024.

The situation escalated further following a civil lawsuit filed by Charles Anderson and Sherry Prevoznik, the children of David D. Anderson, accusing Penrod of depleting nearly $1.8 million from their father's trust fund. According to a 53-page complaint, Penrod admitted to using the money for gambling at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Tampa. Detectives confirmed multiple visits by Penrod to the casino, where he reportedly lost over $1.7 million. Bank records showed transactions exceeding $1.2 million wired to the Hard Rock and ATM withdrawals totaling more than $24,000. Penrod described himself as a "raging" gambling addict in a letter proposing repayment over a decade.

The unfolding events highlight the severity of Penrod's alleged actions and the impact on his clients. His arrest and subsequent legal proceedings underscore the importance of ethical conduct in the legal profession. The additional charges reflect the complexity and extent of the alleged financial crimes committed over an extended period. As the case progresses, it will likely have significant implications for both Penrod and the broader community affected by his actions.