A former Canton, Ohio-area title attorney was sentenced to prison and ordered to pay restitution after pleading guilty to stealing from his clients.
William Sparks, 71, of Jackson Township, previously pleaded guilty to felony charges of theft from a protected class, aggravated theft, and grand theft. He was sentenced to four to six years in prison and ordered to pay $339,050.38 in restitution.
Sparks used his title company, American Realty Title Assurance Co. of Stark County, to commit the offenses against his real estate clients.
The case was investigated by the Stark County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Forensic Accounting Unit. Special prosecutors from the Attorney General’s Office prosecuted the case.
“Robbing elderly clients behind their backs is a disgraceful betrayal of trust that warrants stiff consequences,” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said. “This sentence should serve as a warning that targeting older Ohioans for exploitation won’t be tolerated.”
“Our collaborative dedication to this case underscores our commitment to prosecuting financial crimes diligently,” Stark County Sheriff George Maier said. “The attorney general’s office and our deputies worked tirelessly on this case, and this outcome reflects our resolve to ensure that those who betray public trust are held responsible. We remain dedicated to upholding the law and protecting our citizens from exploitation."