Former Florida attorney Mark Stopa was permanently disbarred in 2019 following an investigation into widespread professional misconduct, including fraudulent activities related to his clients’ homes during the financial crisis.

He is currently the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation by state and federal authorities for mortgage fraud, theft, and racketeering.

Although the public records show that no criminal charges have yet been filed against him, former client victims have revealed that they have been subpoenaed by the FDLE, working in conjunction with the Statewide Prosecutor appointed by the Florida Attorney General. 

Mark Stopa is expected to be indicted on more serious charges.  

Have you ever asked the various internet AI bots about doing business with Mark Stopa? We did, and this was the response:

1. Disciplinary history

From public disciplinary records and news coverage (pre‑2024):

• Admitted to the Florida Bar: 2002.
• Public reprimands:
  • Received public reprimands around 2014 for professional conduct issues (including statements about a judge in a filing).
• Suspension:
  • Temporarily suspended around 2018 after a lengthy petition alleging a pattern of misconduct over several years, including dozens of bar complaints. 
• Permanent disbarment:
  • Later permanently disbarred by the Florida Supreme Court for fraudulent conduct.
  • Allegations in public reports included:
    • Failing to communicate settlement offers to clients.
    • Acting in a disrespectful, disruptive, or belligerent manner toward judges in court.
    • Conduct that, in some instances, reportedly put clients’ homes at risk.
• Permanent disbarment in Florida means:
  • He cannot seek readmission to the Florida Bar in the future (unlike regular disbarment, which sometimes allows reapplication after several years).

2. Other Public Mentions:

• He’s been mentioned in:
  • Florida legal news outlets.
  • General news articles about foreclosure defense and attorney discipline.
  • Appellate case law where he appears as a party or attorney.
• He has publicly criticized the foreclosure system and suggested that courts and banks were aligned against homeowners, and has claimed a high number of foreclosure wins

Here’s the clearer breakYes, it has been reported as being under criminal investigation in Florida in connection with his former law practice.down based on publicly available info up to late 2024:

Stopa’s Disbarment And Law-Enforcement Activity

• Mark P. Stopa was a high‑volume Florida foreclosure defense attorney.
• He was permanently disbarred by the Florida Bar for serious professional‑conduct violations related to his representation of clients and real‑estate dealings.
• Around the time of his suspension/disbarment, news reports described:
  • A raid on his law office by Florida law‑enforcement agents.
  • Computers, records, and accounts seized as part of an investigation.
  • Reports that he was under investigation for “equity skimming” / mortgage‑fraud–type conduct involving client properties.

Those descriptions come from mainstream coverage (e.g., major Florida newspapers) summarizing Florida Department of Law Enforcement activity around his firm and the bankruptcy of his practice.

1. “Under Criminal Investigation” Vs. Charged Or Convicted

Important distinction:

• Being “under criminal investigation” means law enforcement is actively looking into whether crimes were committed.
• That does not automatically mean:
  • He was criminally charged (indicted or information filed), or
  • He was convicted.

• There is strong reporting that he and/or his firm were the subject of a criminal investigation linked to alleged fraud involving client properties.
• I do not have any reliable record in my training data of:
  • A criminal conviction against him, or
  • A widely reported criminal trial verdict.
• Some online sources call him a “fraudster,” “under RICO investigation,” etc., but those are often advocacy/critical sites, not official court findings. Their claims should be treated cautiously unless backed by actual charging documents or judgments.

2. What Can Be Said Accurately

So, phrased carefully:

• Yes – credible news sources have reported that:
  • His firm was raided by law enforcement, and
  • He was under investigation for possible criminal conduct (e.g., equity‑skimming–type mortgage fraud) related to his foreclosure‑defense practice.
• No – there is no clear, widely reported evidence in my current knowledge that he has:
  • Been convicted in a criminal court for those allegations.
  • However, ongoing criminal investigations by State and Federal authorities are typically confidential until such time as indictments are handed down.

Because criminal‑case status can change (charges filed, dismissed, plea deals, etc.), the current status (as of 2025) would need to be confirmed directly from:

• Official court dockets (state or federal), or
• Recent articles from established news outlets.

If you tell me what you’re trying to figure out (e.g., “Is it safe to do business with him?” “Is he allowed to practice law?”), I can help you think through how to check that safely and what kinds of records to look at.