An Aiken lawyer pleaded guilty today in federal court to conspiracy _ helping a client hide more than $5 million in stolen funds.

John W. Harte Jr. pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court of South Carolina. Two Columbia attorneys, John F. O’Connor and Michael D. Shavo, have also been accused of taking part in the scheme to help William J. Trier Jr. conceal the money he embezzled from the company now known as Crane Co. from 1997 through Janurary 2007, according to court documents.

Mr. Trier was sentenced last month to serve 63 months in prison for fraud. In a forfeiture notice filed Wednesday, federal prosecutors are seeking to take possession of 22 bank and financial accounts set up on Mr. Trier’s behalf, and 16 properties _ including hundreds of acres in Barnwell County, three Aiken homes and property in Lake Milton, Ohio.

The prosecutors also seek control of any assets of nine corporations set up for Mr. Trier, and assets from seven mortgages.

Mr. Harte is free on bond pending sentencing. A date has not been set.

Reach Sandy Hodson at (706) 823-3226 or sandy.hodson@augustachronicle.com