WHEELING – Former Wheeling lawyer Paul Harris didn’t just steal money from his victims, he also stole their trust and then stomped on it.

Harris, 62, was sentenced to 97 months, or 8 years and one month, in federal prison on Monday by U.S. District Court Judge John Bailey. He was convicted last November of 29 counts of fraud and money laundering. As part of his sentence he must pay $701,623.86 in restitution to his victims.

Harris must self-report to prison on May 6.

Bailey said based on the evidence presented to the jury, Harris manipulated and lied to his clients in a variety of ways to steal their money. At times it appeared like a Ponzi scheme, using one client’s money to pay off another. He also used client money to buy things for himself, such as a house and a loan related to his law practice.

In her victim impact statement, Michele Giovengo said her husband Joe Giovengo, who died of cancer in 2022, was approached by Harris to join a lawsuit against a company. Her husband, she said, was thinking only of taking care of his family after his death with money that could come from the suit. However, Harris had the couple sign over their money into an account so he could settle a medical lien. He was going to negotiate on their behalf, but Giovengo learned that he never even tried.

“We trusted him…The money was never held, it was used to pay other debts,” she said. “I was in shock and disbelief. I didn’t believe that someone could do this…I felt what he did was cruel. I was trying to hold my family together, carrying the weight of grief.”

She noted during the trial while on the witness stand, Harris questioned her, asking repeatedly why she didn’t just hire another attorney.

“I just wanted it to be over. He made me feel like I did something wrong,” she said. “I was the collateral damage.”

Giovengo said she did not want to hold on to anger for Harris. She has learned that life is too short and precious to do so.

“I’m not here to hate Mr. Harris. I don’t take pleasure in people suffering,” she said.

Giovengo added that her husband was “a man of integrity.”

“My husband’s life mattered,” she said.

In his victim impact statement, Travis Carr said his family was counting on receiving $1.5 million for his sister’s future.

“And it’s gone…It’s a sad affair,” he said, adding if Harris decided to apologize he would not believe him.

Harris did not speak on his own behalf, but provided a written statement to the court for the record.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod Douglas said Harris used his knowledge of the law to prey on the vulnerable and make money for himself.

“In fact he is a predator — plain and simple and true,” Douglas said.

U.S. Attorney Matthew Harvey said he hopes that all the money owed to the victims can be recouped.

“Citizens should trust lawyers to protect their rights and interests, not to have their money stolen,” Harvey. “Harris broke that trust, and the law, and now he will pay with time in prison. “This office will leave no stone unturned in pursuing full restitution to make the victims whole.”

Harvey noted Harris could be released from prison for good behavior after serving 82 months — or six years and 10 months.

“It’s certainly in the higher range,” he said of the prison sentence. “I’m satisfied with the prison time, but I’m not satisfied with the fact that the victims had to go through this and they will never be made completely whole.”

After Harris is released from prison, he will be on three years of supervised probation. He must have substance abuse and mental health treatment. His restitution payments of $500 a month begin when he starts his prison sentence.

Bailey pointed out that Harris’ wife had no knowledge of her husband’s crimes.

“Mrs. Harris was wholly blameless and unaware of what was going on,” Bailey said, adding that she was losing her companion in life.