A man already accused of posing as a lawyer in Ocean County is now facing additional charges after investigators uncovered a broader pattern of deception involving multiple victims and tens of thousands of dollars in payments.

Ocean County Prosecutor Brad Billhimer announced that David T. Schlendorf, 54, of Holladay, Utah, has been charged with four counts of theft by deception and five counts of unauthorized practice of law, stemming from an investigation that has steadily widened over the past year.

Authorities allege Schlendorf misrepresented himself as a licensed attorney despite having been disbarred in New Jersey in December 2022. According to investigators, at least six individuals hired him to handle legal matters between early 2023 and late 2025, paying a combined total of roughly $70,000.

The case initially began with a complaint out of Toms River, where a resident reportedly paid Schlendorf about $10,000 in March 2025 for legal representation. Detectives later determined that Schlendorf was not authorized to practice law, prompting a deeper probe by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad and the Toms River Police Department.

Schlendorf was first taken into custody in October 2025 and lodged in the Ocean County Jail before being released under New Jersey’s bail reform framework, which generally eliminates cash bail for nonviolent offenses.

The latest charges were issued via summons and relate to additional victims identified during the continuing investigation.

Prosecutors say the scheme spanned more than two years, with five additional victims allegedly paying approximately $60,000 for services Schlendorf was not legally permitted to provide. Authorities have not detailed the specific legal matters involved but indicated the investigation remains active.

Officials are now urging anyone who may have had contact with Schlendorf under similar circumstances to come forward, suggesting the total number of victims could grow further.