For the second time in less than three years, disgraced former San Antonio attorney Chris Pettit appeared before a federal judge and admitted to stealing tens of millions of dollars from his clients.
But this time, Pettit and federal prosecutors have agreed that his prison sentence should fall between 19½ years and about 24½ years. If U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia rejects the plea agreement, Pettit can withdraw his guilty plea.
Pettit, 59, pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud and two counts of money laundering, setting the stage for an Oct. 21 sentencing after an appeals court threw out his original guilty plea and 50-year prison term in February…