Springfield CPA pleads guilty to stealing $400,000

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Today in court, a Springfield man admitted to embezzling over $400,000 from a trust fund that was under his control.

According to the Department of Justice, Ray Leonard Marple, 61, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of making a false federal tax return.

As a certified public accountant, Marple admitted he embezzled $432,981 from a revocable trust account from 2017 to 2023 following the death of the grantor.

Marples admitted he used the money to purchase his home in Springfield.

The press release stated Marple must pay up to $415,481 in restitution to the trust and at least $59,622 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service, as ordered by the court. Marple also must forfeit to the government a money judgment of $415,481 and his Springfield residential property.

Marple could potentially receive a sentence of up to 23 years in federal prison without parole. A sentencing hearing will be arranged once the United States Probation Office completes its investigation.

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