The Serious Fraud Office (SFO), a joint initiative of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Ministry of the Attorney General, has charged a lawyer from Casselman, Ontario for allegedly taking hundreds of thousands of dollars from numerous clients.

OPP said Marc Gauthier, who practiced in Hawkesbury, misappropriated more than $500,000 in client funds and has been charged with three counts of theft over $5,000, laundering proceeds of crime and criminal breach of trust.

OPP began investigating Gauthier in December of 2024 after receiving numerous complaints of suspected misuse of client funds related to legal services. It has been reported that between November and December 2022 he allegedly took approximately $100,000 from a mixed trust account and between November2023 and September 2024 he allegedly misappropriated more than $530,000 that he was holding for four clients.

According to a Law Society of Ontario, a tribunal decision made on January 30, Gauthier was accused of professional misconduct and his permit has been revoked.

This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information that could assist with the investigation is asked to call the OPP at1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or ontariocrimes-toppers.ca.