COOK COUNTY ILLINOIS JUDGE FOUND GUILTY OF MORTGAGE FRAUD

[Scales depiction from wikipedia]

Have you heard the news about the mortgage fraud conviction of Cook County Circuit Judge 

Judge Jessica Arong O’Brien?  Last week, she was found guilty in federal court of two fraud counts related to false statements she made in loan applications years before she took the bench. She reportedly lied about her income while purchasing two investment properties and then paid kickbacks to a straw purchaser who subsequently defaulted on the loans.

As Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Madden told the jury in closing argument, "she used lies to buy and sell these properties." Sentencing for Judge O'Brien will be reportedly be held at a later date.

A "Joke of the Day" About Lawyers!

[Photo from scientistdata.info]

After some serious posts, maybe it is time for......A "Joke of the Day" about lawyers!  The following joke was told to one of my sons last week by his law professor!

Question:  What do you have with 100 lawyers buried up to their necks in sand?

Answer:  Not enough sand!

I hope your weekend is going great and that you are not up to your neck in sand!

Don Lepre, Fraud, and Lessons About Missing Court

[Photo from dailymail.co.uk]

As a former federal prosecutor and, currently, as an Augusta, Georgia criminal defense lawyer, I can tell you that one important lesson I have learned about criminal cases is that -- no matter what else happens -- you must always show up at court on time.  You must never keep a judge waiting! 

Well, according to news reports, Mr. Don Lepre, the so-called "King of Infomercials," has apparently never learned this lesson.  Lepre has reportedly now been arrested in Tempe, Arizona by U.S. Marhals after missing his arraignment, which was scheduled for earlier this week in Phoenix.  If he had appeared in court, Lepre had reportedly been expected to enter a not guilty plea to federal fraud charges.

The fraud charges, including conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering, reportedly revolve around Lepre's business, the "Greatest Vitamins in the World."  The indictment alleges, among other things, that numerous victims were promised money which they never received for selling vitamins.  Of course, Lepre has a right to enter a not guilty plea and a right to a jury trial.

But first, Lepre apparently must learn to show up at court!  And I am quite confident that a federal judge will now teach him this important lesson and ensure he shows up from now on!