Former Warsaw attorney Scott Lennox has admitted to violating his terms of probation following a criminal case in which he stole funds from the law firm he worked for.
Lennox's sentencing will take place at 1:30 p.m. March 26 in Marshall County.
At the admission hearing, Alexander Hoover, Lennox's defense attorney, submitted a letter showing Lennox completed an intensive outpatient group therapy program in Allen County on Feb. 1. He also said Lennox was looking to enter an in-patient program in Kalamazoo, Mich.
Elkhart County Deputy Prosecutor Jennifer Munro said she would be recommending Lennox be placed in prison at his sentencing unless he paid substantial amounts toward his restitution before March 26. She said Lennox had not made any payments since July 2021.
Lennox admitted to violating probation, but said he attended counseling and had a prescription for amphetamine.
Marshall County Superior Court II Judge Dean Colvin told Lennox to go to Marshall County Community Corrections immediately after the admission hearing for an intake interview to determine if he is eligible for the program.
Background On Case
On Nov. 27, 2018, a Warsaw Police Department officer met with Matthew Buehler, who served as a local attorney at the time. Buehler said Lennox took money from three trust accounts and from the business operating account of Lennox, Sobek and Buehler LLC.
The law firm's bookkeeper said she wrote checks at Lennox's direction for $7,000 to Bowers Jewelry and $6,000 to The Car Company. Neither of the companies were clients of the law firm. The Bowers Jewelry check was for an engagement ring and The Car Company check was for payment for Lennox's son's vehicle.
Lennox's law license was suspended in 2019.
In February 2020, Lennox was sentenced on two counts of fraud on a financial institution, both level 5 felonies; and six counts of theft, all level 6 felonies.
At sentencing, Colvin gave Lennox a 12-year suspended sentence. As part of his sentence, Lennox was ordered to pay $51,088.52 in restitution.
Following sentencing, Lennox was projected to be released from probation on Feb. 26, 2027.
A motion to revoke Lennox's probation was filed by Lennox's probation officer on March 27, 2023. Several motions updating Lennox's violations have also been filed.
According to those motions, Lennox submitted to oral swabs on March 8, 2023; April 12, 2023; and Dec. 28, 2023. All three of those tests showed positive results for amphetamine and methamphetamine.
Lennox also failed to report in person to his probation officer seven times between August 2023 and January 2024. Marshall County's probation department also alleges Lennox failed to keep gainful employment and attend counseling, both of which were required as part of Lennox's probation.