Ex-defense attorney sentenced for money laundering

HAMMOND, Ind. — A former criminal defense attorney from northwestern Indiana has been sentenced to three years in prison for laundering money that prosecutors say came from drug dealers.

A federal jury convicted 57-year-old Jerry Jarrett of Hammond in 2004, but his sentencing was delayed by numerous post-trial motions and appeals. A federal judge in Fort Wayne this week also ordered a $92,000 fine and noted Jarrett has been disbarred since 2004.

The Times of Munster reports two convicted drug dealers testified at Jarrett’s trial that he offered make their profits appear legitimate by selling them stock in a company and making deposits into his business bank account.

The Post-Tribune reports Jarrett claims prosecutors targeted him because he got a doctor he represented cleared of murder charges in the deaths of two patients.