Victimizing The Victim

An interim suspension has been ordered by the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board

Effective April 2, 2025, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board summarily suspended James Spero Panagis Jr.’s license to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This suspension was based on his entry of a guilty plea to a crime in the Circuit Court for the City of Virginia Beach on March 21, 2025. Panagis is ordered to appear before the Board on April 25, 2025, to show cause why his license to practice law in the Commonwealth should not be further suspended or revoked.

WAVY.com reported on the criminal case

A former Virginia Beach prosecutor has pleaded guilty to embezzlement and uttering, which is similar to forgery.

A special prosecutor was assigned to this case back in August 2024 after irregularities were found in James Panagis files, who worked as a prosecutor in Virginia Beach. The investigation into Panagis was ordered two years prior, in August 2022, and conducted by the Virginia State Police.

The Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office passed jurisdiction on the case to the Chesterfield Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office due to a conflict of interest. The office was additionally advised to turn the case over to the Virginia State Bar lead ethics counsel after the conclusion of the criminal investigation.

Panagis was accused of taking restitution money that belonged to victims when he worked at the Commonwealth’s Attorneys office.

According to court documents, Panagis would instruct a defense attorney to submit a restitution check or money order to him with the payee line blank.  The check would then be made payable to the victim or a vendor for the victim. Investigators then explain that Panagis would reduce the criminal charge in the case.   

Panagis would allegedly then fill the payee line on the check with a fake name, with the first name beginning with the letter “J” and the last name beginning with the letter “P”. Documents detailed that he would then sign the back of the check and use an ATM to deposit it into his personal account.

An interview was done with Panagis in July 2024, where he told investigators that he was addicted to gambling, alcohol and cocaine.  

Panagis pleaded guilty to two counts of embezzlement by public officer and two counts of uttering. He pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of greater than or equal to $500.

Two counts of embezzlement by public officer and two other counts of uttering were nolle prossed. A money laundering charge was also nolle prossed.

His sentencing is scheduled for June 26.

(Mike Frisch)