The federal trial is underway for Judge Jessica Arong O’Brien, the first Filipina elected as a judge in the state, who is accused of lying on loan documents in a $1.4 million dollar fraud scheme in Illinois.
The alleged fraud took place over a decade ago before O’Brien was elected as a judge.
Reports say O’Brien and her former associate fraudulently obtained loans for two properties on Chicago’s south side and used it on the refinancing and the investment of other properties. Her former associate pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud in January.
O’Brien is charged with bank and mail fraud affecting a financial institution. Each charge carries a maximum 30-year prison sentence.
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