Radio host Warren Ballentine, 41, who is dubbed as the “People’s Attorney,” has been indicted and charged in a $10 million mortgage fraud scheme, according to federal officials.
Last Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013, the attorney and syndicated radio personality, who hosts “The Warren Ballentine Show,” was charged by a federal grand jury with a six-count indictment: two counts of bank fraud, two counts of making false statements to lenders, one count of mail fraud and one count of wire fraud.
He, and others, allegedly schemed to obtain nearly 30 bogus mortgage loans.
According to a release by U.S. Attorney’s office in Chicago, he and others made false statements in loan documents that caused lenders to issue at least eight loans for about $3.6 million between December 2004 and February 2005.
Ballentine allegedly represented buyers who were fraudulently qualified to purchase the properties in Chicago, Mokena, Monee and Woodridge, Ill., and caused lenders to issue at least 20 more loans for roughly $6.1 million between February 2005 and May 2006.
The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of $9.78 million, the release said.
Ballentine is scheduled to be arraigned about 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013 before U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly.
