'People's attorney' on trial on mortgage fraud charges
A former national radio host who billed himself as the “people’s attorney” goes on trial Wednesday in federal court in Chicago on charges he took part in separate mortgage fraud schemes that bilked lenders out of nearly $10 million.
Warren Ballentine, who is still licensed to practice law in Illinois but lives in Durham, N.C., took to Facebook to declare his innocence after he was charged early last year.
“For the record I’m innocent,” wrote Ballentine, a lawyer who allegedly represented more than two dozen buyers in fraudulent real estate closings. “I made a standard fee on closings…I know some may say everybody says their (sic) innocent. Well I am.”
In a recent Facebook posting, Ballentine thanked God “for the vindication that will surely come.”
He faces six counts of bank, mail and wire fraud and making false statements to lenders.
Prosecutors allege the two separate schemes took place between December 2004 and May 2006 and involved nearly 30 fraudulent loans. Ballentine was accused of representing buyers recruited by others, knowing they had been fraudulently qualified to purchase properties in Chicago and mostly the south suburbs
Warren Ballentine, who is still licensed to practice law in Illinois but lives in Durham, N.C., took to Facebook to declare his innocence after he was charged early last year.
In a recent Facebook posting, Ballentine thanked God “for the vindication that will surely come.”
He faces six counts of bank, mail and wire fraud and making false statements to lenders.
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