Editor's note: So, what's Niew! Lucius Verenus, Schoolmaster, ProbateSharks.com
Oak Brook attorney disbarred after fraud accusations
Oakbrook attorney Kathleen Niew leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse after posting bond. (Phil Velasquez, Chicago Tribune / August 29, 2013)
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An Oak Brook attorney who has been charged with fraud and accused of taking $2.3 million from her clients has been disbarred.
Kathleen Niew, an author and former radio host of a financial advice show, was barred from practicing law by the Illinois Supreme Court Wednesday.
Niew, 57, a Burr Ridge resident, was charged in a federal indictment in August with 10 counts of wire fraud. Prosecutors said she used the money without permission to invest in mining operations, while getting a 20 percent finder’s fee for providing about $1.5 million for the deals.
Niew has told regulators that someone unknown had hacked into the bank account where the money was held.
She pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges and is free on bond while awaiting trial.
The Supreme Court made no comment on her case, but the ruling was based on findings by the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission that she had swindled the money from Jemal and Leda Khoury, an Oak Park couple who had entrusted her with their life savings to invest in apartment buildings. They are suing her to get back their money.
In February, the Tribune documented Niew’s mounting legal woes, including the suspension of her insurance license based on allegations she forged clients’ signatures. She also was suspended by the Supreme Court in 2001 based on findings that she forged signatures.
rmccoppin@tribune.com
Kathleen Niew, an author and former radio host of a financial advice show, was barred from practicing law by the Illinois Supreme Court Wednesday.
Niew, 57, a Burr Ridge resident, was charged in a federal indictment in August with 10 counts of wire fraud. Prosecutors said she used the money without permission to invest in mining operations, while getting a 20 percent finder’s fee for providing about $1.5 million for the deals.
Niew has told regulators that someone unknown had hacked into the bank account where the money was held.
She pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges and is free on bond while awaiting trial.
The Supreme Court made no comment on her case, but the ruling was based on findings by the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission that she had swindled the money from Jemal and Leda Khoury, an Oak Park couple who had entrusted her with their life savings to invest in apartment buildings. They are suing her to get back their money.
In February, the Tribune documented Niew’s mounting legal woes, including the suspension of her insurance license based on allegations she forged clients’ signatures. She also was suspended by the Supreme Court in 2001 based on findings that she forged signatures.
rmccoppin@tribune.com
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