A Springfield, Mo.-based CPA has admitted stealing about $432,981 from a trust fund under his control. Ray Leonard Marple, 61, faces up to 23 years in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to embezzlement this month.Marple, who has operated his own firm since 1998, admitted taking the money from a revocable trust account from July 7, 2017, through May 3, 2023, following the death of the grantor.
He would have been entitled to fees of less than $2,500 a year or $17,500 for the seven years. Instead, he stole the money and used the proceeds to purchase his home in Springfield. Marple also failed to report nearly $177`,000 in taxable income from 2018 to 2020, for which he owes $59,622 in federal income taxes.
Under a plea agreement, is to pay up to $415,481 in restitution to the trust and at least $59,622 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service, along with forfeiting a money judgment of $415,481 to the government and residential property.
