ST. LOUIS - Defendant John J. Diehl pleaded guilty Thursday to a wire fraud scheme involving $379,900.

He acknowledged to a federal judge that he diverted pandemic relief funds for personal use. Diehl dodged cameras after the hearing, ducking back into the courthouse to avoid questions.

He answered the judge in court, though, as she asked, “Did you have the intent to defraud?”

Diehl answered, “Yes.”

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He took CARES Act funds, money meant to assist his law firm through the pandemic.

A federal prosecutor said the money was meant to help small businesses. Instead, it came out in court he used the money for country club fees, college tuition, pool maintenance and payments to Tesla, Audi and Jeep.

It’s not Diehl’s first bru

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