Putnam County Attorney Arrested on Theft Charges Over Real Estate Deal
A Putnam County attorney was arrested on felony theft charges after investigators say he withheld over $60,000 from a client during a real estate deal.
COOKEVILLE, TENNESSEE — A licensed attorney was arrested Friday on charges of stealing more than $60,000 from a client during a real estate transaction, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
James Hargis, born August 11, 1991, was taken into custody by Putnam County Sheriff’s deputies following an investigation by TBI special agents. The probe began at the request of 13th Judicial District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway.
Investigators determined that Hargis, while serving as a licensed attorney, withheld funds from an individual during a real estate transaction. The specific details of the transaction and the identity of the victim were not disclosed in the TBI announcement.
Arrest and Charges
Hargis faces one count of theft over $60,000, a felony charge that carries significant penalties under Tennessee law. He was booked into the Putnam County Jail with bond set at $100,000.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation conducted the probe after receiving the referral from the district attorney’s office. TBI special agents worked to build the case against the attorney over the course of their investigation.
Legal Process Ahead
The case will now proceed through the court system in the 13th Judicial District, which covers Putnam County. Attorney General Bryant Dunaway’s office will handle the prosecution of the charges against Hargis.
The TBI emphasized in its announcement that the charges represent accusations of criminal conduct rather than evidence of guilt. Hargis is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt through the legal process.
Real estate theft cases involving attorneys can be complex, as they often involve trust accounts and fiduciary responsibilities that legal professionals have toward their clients. The Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility may also review the case for potential disciplinary action against Hargis’s law license.
