Executive Summary
Laws and Precedent
A Miami Lakes attorney, Rodolfo Mario Blanco, 60, made his initial federal court appearance on October 28, 2025, facing charges of wire fraud and money laundering. He is accused of orchestrating a multi-million dollar embezzlement scheme by diverting investment funds entrusted to his attorney trust account between September 2023 and July 2024.
Allegations of Embezzlement
Blanco was retained to serve as an escrow agent for an investment fund, a role that required him to securely hold millions of dollars from corporate and individual investors in his attorney trust account. These funds were received under the false pretense that they would be safeguarded on behalf of the investors and the fund.
Beginning in November 2023 and continuing through July 2024, Blanco allegedly initiated a series of large teller transfers, cash withdrawals, and wire transfers from this trust account. These diversions included two substantial transfers reportedly used to purchase a residence in the Miami area, redirecting funds intended for investment purposes.
Deceptive Practices
Throughout the alleged scheme, Blanco is accused of making multiple false representations to both investors and fund directors regarding the status and balance of the trust account. In February and April 2024, he allegedly sent emails falsely claiming that his trust account was subject to diligence and compliance reviews, thereby preventing the release of the investment funds.
To bolster these misrepresentations, Blanco reportedly included fabricated bank communications and falsified account screenshots. These deceptive tactics were allegedly employed to conceal the embezzlement and mislead those seeking information about their investments.
Charges and Potential Penalties
Blanco faces a total of 11 counts of wire fraud and 11 counts of engaging in monetary transactions in criminally derived property, commonly known as money laundering. If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for each wire fraud count and ten years for each money laundering count.
U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Brett D. Skiles of the FBI, Miami Field Office, jointly announced the charges. The FBI Miami Field Office is actively investigating the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Sterling M. Paulson prosecuting.
Legal Proceedings
The charges against Rodolfo Mario Blanco underscore the Department of Justice’s commitment to prosecuting financial fraud, particularly when committed by professionals entrusted with safeguarding client assets. An indictment contains mere allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
