Morro Bay attorney sentenced for grand theft

February 9, 2016
John Patrick Fennacy

John Patrick Fennacy

A former attorney and Morro Bay planning commissioner was sentence Monday to 240 days in jail. John Patrick Fennacy, 50, pleaded no contest last year in a grand theft case involving elderly clients. [KSBY]

Prosecutors initially alleged Fennacy embezzled at least $65,000 from a client’s trust fund. Fennacy pleaded no contest to a single felony charge of grand theft over $950, and prosecutors dropped an enhancement alleging he stole more than $65,000.

In addition to serving jail time, Fennacy must complete 100 hours of community service and pay both restitution and a $1,000 fine.

Additionally, Fennacy will be placed on probation, and during that period, he will not be allowed to practice law.

Fennacy specialized in elder law and estate planning, according to his website, which is no longer online.

From Jan. 2012 to May 2014, he served on the Morro Bay Planning Commission. Fennacy also co-owned the Brickhouse BBQ in Morro Bay.

Fennacy faced a maximum sentence of one year in jail and five years of probation. He is not currently in custody, according to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office website.


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I’ve heard that Fennacy was found dead in his home on July 15, 2016. I’m surprised that there hasn’t been any mention of it in the news.


I am so thankful that they brought this corrupt attorney down. He gave my family the absolute worst service causing everything to require probate and refused to assist with any requests by us. I started to think that his kind was prevailing over innocent subjects. He did charge $5000. for nothing but a fat binder of worthless print out pages. Hope he suffers even though he swapped his valuable properties out of his name. Somehow the barbeque restaurant didn’t survive the press but added a lot to his waistline judging his mugshots.


Looks like crime does pay. The theft just happened to be during the time his BBQ joint opened. He then signed the business over to his son under an LLC. Adding to the slimy history of Fennacys character, his original business location was rent free on a property owned by Dan Reddell. Mr Reddell was seeking planning commission approval to build on eagle rock. How do you think Fennacy voted?