Chester Co. Lawyer Arrested Again; Stole Ex-Wife's Identity: DA

DOWNINGTOWN, PA -- A Chester County lawyer charged over the summer with defrauding his clients has been arrested again after using his ex-wife's name to open false accounts, authorities announced.

Joshua Janis, 38, used the money on strip clubs, porn, and other personal expenses, the Chester County District Attorney's Office said.

Janis, a now-suspended lawyer from Downingtown, was first arrested back in July after taking more than $90,000 from his clients.

Following those charges, Janis and his ex-wife separated and divorced, authorities said.

In the ensuing months, his ex-wife began getting bills from numerous accounts she had never opened, with T-Mobile, Bank of America, AT&T, Comcast, Capital One, Key Bank, and Chase, police said. The Bank of America account alone racked up $20,000 in debt in her name, authorities said.

In another instance, Janis accepted an annual interest rate of 98.69 percent on a loan in her name.

Janis was charged with identity theft, forgery, access device fraud, and theft.

If you believe you have any information or may have been a victim of Janis, contact Chester County Detectives at 610-344-6866.

Image via Chester County District Attorney's Office