GREENSBURG, Pa. - A Westmoreland County attorney is facing criminal charges after county detectives accused her of taking nearly $98,000 that was supposed to be held for a client during divorce proceedings.

Ashley Lovelace has been charged with theft and receiving stolen property following an investigation by Westmoreland County Detectives, according to the Westmoreland County District Attorney's Office.

Investigators allege $97,858 connected to the sale of real estate belonging to the client and her estranged husband was ultimately deposited into accounts controlled by Lovelace and was not returned to the client.

The investigation began in August after the client contacted county detectives about the missing funds.

Client hired Lovelace for divorce case

According to detectives, the woman retained Lovelace in June 2025 to represent her in divorce proceedings and paid an initial $2,500 retainer for court filings.

In November 2025, Laurel Settlement Group issued a $97,858 check from a real estate sale payable to the client and her estranged husband.

The client told investigators that Lovelace took possession of the check with the understanding that the proceeds would be held in an Interest on Lawyers' Trust Account, commonly known as an IOLTA, until the divorce case was resolved.

The following month, investigators said Lovelace contacted a bank and the settlement company and said the original check could not be deposited into escrow because it was not payable to her.

Laurel Settlement Group then issued another check for the same $97,858 amount payable directly to Lovelace, according to the District Attorney's Office.

Detectives say money was moved between accounts

Investigators reviewed banking records as part of the case.

According to detectives, the money was deposited into Lovelace's business checking account after the replacement check was issued.

Detectives said that by May 2026, the $97,858 had been transferred from the business account into two additional checking accounts, including a personal account belonging to Lovelace.

Detective Ray Dupilka said investigators also identified personal purchases and withdrawals from Lovelace's personal account and another business account between January and May.

According to the District Attorney's Office, both accounts were eventually left with deficit balances.

The criminal allegations do not establish that every purchase or withdrawal identified by investigators came from the client's money. Prosecutors will have to prove the charges in court.

Client says attempts to reach attorney failed

The client told detectives she began repeatedly attempting to contact Lovelace in February 2026.

According to investigators, the woman said her telephone calls were not answered, emails went without a response and the law firm's website was offline.

The client eventually hired another attorney.

In July, she sought a court hearing intended to compel Lovelace to turn over the proceeds from the property sale, according to investigators.

Detectives said Lovelace did not attend that hearing.

The client then contacted Westmoreland County Detectives in August, leading to the criminal investigation.

Investigators say funds have not been returned

Dupilka said investigators found no indication that Lovelace had attempted to return the $97,858 to the client.

The Westmoreland County District Attorney's Office subsequently filed charges of theft and receiving stolen property.

The case remains active.

The charges against Lovelace are allegations. She is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

The American Desk will update this story as additional court filings or information from Westmoreland County authorities becomes available.