Former Missouri House leader sentenced after misusing pandemic aid
FOX23 News at 9 p.m
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KBSI) — A former Missouri House speaker will serve time in federal prison after admitting he improperly used COVID-19 relief funds intended for businesses.
A federal judge on Monday sentenced John Diehl to 21 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to wire fraud. Prosecutors said Diehl obtained roughly $380,000 in pandemic relief loans for his law firm between 2020 and 2022.
Investigators said the funds were meant to help businesses cover operating costs during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Diehl instead used the money for personal expenses. Court records show the spending included country club dues, swimming pool upkeep, mortgage payments and payments on several vehicles.
Authorities also said a portion of the money was placed into a retirement benefit plan tied to Diehl’s law practice in which he was the sole participant.
Diehl asked the court to avoid prison, noting he had already repaid the money to the Small Business Administration. Federal prosecutors had recommended a sentence between 21 and 27 months.
In addition to the prison sentence, the court ordered Diehl to pay a $50,000 fine.
Diehl previously resigned as Missouri House speaker in 2015 after reports surfaced that he exchanged sexually suggestive text messages with a college intern. In 2023, the Missouri Ethics Commission fined him about $47,000 for campaign finance violations, including the personal use of campaign funds.
