A criminal trial is expected to begin Monday in the case against Harvey Newkirk, a former Bryan Cave counsel accused of fraudulently inducing lenders to provide millions of dollars to buy Maxim magazine.

The Southern District U.S. Attorney's office alleges that from August 2013 to February 2014, Newkirk and co-conspirator Calvin Darden Jr., misled lenders to provide financing to a media company to purchase Maxim. It said Newkirk falsely promised lenders that assets owned by Darden's father, a former UPS executive and board member of several corporations, would be pledged as security.

Newkirk made the promises without the knowledge of Calvin Darden Sr., who was not providing financial support, the prosecution claims, adding that Newkirk told others that Darden Sr. was his client, even though he never retained Newkirk.