Ex-Missouri House Speaker John Diehl Pleads Guilty to Pandemic Loan Fraud

Diehl, a 60-year-old St. Louis attorney, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to one count of wire fraud tied to SBA pandemic relief. He admitted using loan proceeds for personal expenses including vehicle payments, credit cards, a home mortgage, a family member’s tuition, pool maintenance and country club fees. According to his admissions, he received a $1,000 advance in April 2020, $93,900 in June 2020 and $285,000 more through a 2022 loan modification, totaling $379,900. He also transferred $50,039.55 to his law firm’s retirement plan where he was the sole participant, and his lawyer says the funds have been repaid. The FBI investigated the case; he faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, and his plea comes after prior controversies including a 2015 resignation and a 2023 state ethics fine.

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