Pinay judge in Illinois facing fraud charges

Connie Macatula-DeLeon, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/overseas/04/14/jessica-arong-obrien1.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Judge Jessica Arong O&#x27;Brien</div></figcaption></figure></div><p>CHICAGO - Authorities announced on Wednesday that 49-year old Judge Jessica Arong O&#x27;Brien, a native of Mandaue City, Cebu, is facing federal fraud charges for providing false information to allegedly get loans for properties in Chicago, Illinois.</p><p>The well-respected and admired judge was charged with one count of mail fraud affecting a financial institution, and one count of bank fraud, according to the U.S. Attorney&#x27;s office in Chicago.</p><p>The allegations happened before O&#x27;Brien became the first female Filipino-American judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County in 2012.</p><p>Prosecutors indicted O&#x27;Brien for allegedly obtaining approval on loans &quot;by making false representations and concealing material facts in documents submitted to the lenders.&quot;</p><p>The loans were reportedly used to purchase approximately $1.4 million worth of mortgages and investment properties between 2004 and 2007. During this time, O&#x27;Brien was a special assistant attorney general for the Illinois Department of Revenue and chief counsel to the Illinois Lottery.</p><p>Mail fraud and bank fraud are each punishable by a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/overseas/04/14/jessica-arong-obrien2.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Judge O&#x27;Brien in an earlier interview with ABS-CBN. <cite>Courtesy of Marlon Pecson</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>On the same day the charges were filed, O&#x27;Brien was reassigned to non-judicial duties. The executive committee will make a decision next week whether O&#x27;Brien will be removed from her position while the case is on-going.</p><p>O&#x27;Brien is married to a judge and they have three daughters. She moved to the United States when she was 16 and earned her bachelor&#x27;s degree in hotel and food administration from Boston University. She also has a Masters of Laws in Employee Benefits and Taxation from the John Marshall Law School.</p><p>O&#x27;Brien co-founded the Diversity Scholarship Foundation, and has been a recipient of multiple leadership awards, including President Obama&#x27;s Call-to-Service Award.</p><p>In a conversation with O’Brien, she wrote that she will plead &quot;not guilty&quot; to all charges brought against her. She has been overwhelmed by the love and support shown by the members of the legal community and the community at large. She said that &quot;we should all be reminded that I am innocent until proven guilty.&quot;</p><p>Arraignment is set for April 20 at 10 a.m. CST before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sheila Finnegan at the Federal Court in Chicago, Illinois.</p><p>Read more on <a href="http://www.balitangamerica.tv/"><strong>Balitang America</strong></a></p>

<p>CHICAGO - Authorities announced on Wednesday that 49-year old Judge Jessica Arong O'Brien, a native of Mandaue City, Cebu, is facing federal fraud charges for providing false information to allegedly get loans for properties in Chicago, Illinois.</p>

CHICAGO - Authorities announced on Wednesday that 49-year old Judge Jessica Arong O'Brien, a native of Mandaue City, Cebu, is facing federal fraud charges for providing false information to allegedly get loans for properties in Chicago, Illinois.

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Pinay judge in Illinois facing fraud charges

Pinay judge in Illinois facing fraud charges

Connie Macatula-DeLeon,

ABS-CBN News

Published Apr 14, 2017 11:27 AM PHT

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Updated Apr 15, 2017 09:21 AM PHT

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Jessica Arong O'Brien

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