A Filipino American judge in Illinois was found guilty of mail and bank fraud in a $1.4 million real estate scheme.
A federal jury found Cook County Judge Jessica Arong O’Brien, the first Filipina elected as a judge in the state of Illinois, guilty of the charges against her.
Authorities first charged O’Brien back in April 2017 with fraud for lying on loan and refinancing documents for two investment properties. They said O’Brien then made profit by unloading the homes to a straw buyer whom she paid.
Authorities added she pocketed at least $325,000 from the transactions.
Under Illinois law, the conviction means O’Brien loses her spot on the bench. A sentence hearing has been set for July 6th.
In a statement to Balitang America, O’Brien said, “This too shall pass. I still do believe that ultimately, the truth will set me free.”
Read more on Balitang America.
source: news.abs-cbn.com
