Hilton Head Lawyer Sentenced to Nine Months for Transferring $3 Million to Prevent Seizure

Published Nov. 6, 2026. Case status is current as of that date.

When federal agents seize accounts tied to an investment fraud probe, moving the money through a lawyer’s trust account can be a crime of its own. On Feb. 21, 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina announced that Hilton Head lawyer Peter J. Strauss, 46, was sentenced to nine months in federal prison for knowingly transferring, and aiding and abetting the transfer of, $3 million to prevent lawful seizure of the funds [1].

Status: Sentenced to nine months. According to the release, Strauss directed a $3 million transfer from a Bahamas account into his trust account after FBI search and seizure warrants targeting Jeff and Paulette Carpoff and DC Solar, then combined funds for personal use [1].

What investigators said happened

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office [1]:

1. After Dec. 18, 2018 search and seizure warrants in a DC Solar investment-fraud and money-laundering investigation, Strauss received large transfers from the Carpoffs, including $3 million moved from the Bahamas into his trust account.
2. He was sentenced for knowingly transferring those funds to prevent lawful seizure and then using combined funds personally.

The person sentenced

Peter J. Strauss, 46, Hilton Head, South Carolina. Lawyer. Sentenced to nine months [1].

Case status (as of Nov. 6, 2026)

Defendant	Court	Status	Source
Peter J. Strauss, 46, Hilton Head, S.C.	U.S. District Court, D.S.C.	Sentenced Feb. 21, 2025 to 9 months for transferring $3M to prevent seizure	[1]

Statuses can change, including through appeal.

Sources

1. U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of South Carolina, “Hilton Head Lawyer Sentenced for Knowingly Transferring $3M to Prevent the Lawful Seizure of the Funds,” Feb. 21, 2025. https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/pr/hilton-head-lawyer-sentenced-knowingly-transferring-3m-prevent-lawful-seizure-funds