Look inside the South Temple mansion prosecutors say was renovated with embezzled money

An estate attorney who pleaded guilty to federal charges of wire fraud and money laundering earlier this month will have to hand over his home and law office in Salt Lake City if he is convicted. And judging from the photos on the real estate listing, it is quite the house.

The mansion, in the 1100 East block of South Temple, has nine bedrooms, eight full bathrooms and nine fireplaces and is listed for $2.5 million. (Which is down from its initial listing price of $2,750,000 at the end of August.)

The Department of Justice has accused attorney Calvin Curtis of embezzling at least $9.5 million from clients of his estate planning firm. Prosecutors allege that Curtis used the money to fund his “lavish lifestyle,” which included making extensive renovations to the interior of the combined living space and office.

Curtis could face more than six years in federal prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 15.

The structure is the historic Walter C. Lyne House, built in 1898 out of Red Butte sandstone, according to the form used to nominate the structure to be included on the National Register of Historic Places.

After moving in, Curtis upgraded the kitchen, cabinets, mudroom, appliances and countertops; expanded the master bedroom; and renovated the master bathroom, according to the real estate listing. There are also several TVs throughout the mansion and a full gym in the basement.

When it was first built, the house was owned by Walter C. Lyne, a wool dealer, city councilman and civic leader. It was built and designed by architect Jasper N. Melton. After Lyne died, the house was used as a boarding house and halfway house.