A federal jury convicted two homebuilders Friday for their roles in a $31 million embezzlement scheme that led to the 2017 collapse of Washington Federal Bank in Bridgeport.
A federal jury has convicted two homebuilders for their roles in a decade-long, $31 million embezzlement scheme that led to the 2017 collapse of Washington Federal Bank for Savings in Bridgeport.
Miroslaw Krejza, 65, of Chicago, and Marek Matczuk, 60, of Park Ridge, were found guilty of conspiring to commit embezzlement and falsify bank records through years of fraudulent real estate loans that left the century-old, family-owned bank insolvent, federal prosecutors said Monday.in December 2017. The embezzlement scheme led to criminal charges against 16 defendants, including high-ranking bank officers and former Chicago Ald.
John Gembara, 56, CEO and president of Washington Federal, whose grandfather launched the bank in 1913, took his own life in Matczuk’s Park Ridge home less than two weeks before the bank’s closure, according to a medical examiner’s report.In 2018, a report by the Treasury Department’s Office of Inspector General said fraudulent loan activity by Washington Federal employees, including Gembara, depleted the bank’s capital and left it insolvent.
Thompson, a scion of the Daley family political dynasty, was the 11th Ward alderman, whose turf included the Bridgeport bank. In February 2022, he was convicted on two counts of lying to federal regulators about loans received from Washington Federal and five counts of filing false tax returns that illegally claimed mortgage interest deductions he never paid.
Under state law, Thompson, who represented the 11th Ward since 2015, was forced to resign his seat on City Council following the felony conviction. In March 2022, then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot appointed Nicole Lee to replace Thompson as alderman.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
2 real estate developers found guilty of embezzling millions from failed Washington Federal BankTwo real estate developers were convicted last week of participating in a conspiracy that embezzled millions of dollars from the failed Washington Federal Bank for Savings in Chicago.
Read more »
Washington Commanders 'fitting name for oppressors' Native American group claims in new federal lawsuitThe Native American Guardians Association filed a lawsuit against the Washington Commanders on Sept. 25, 2023 accusing it of contributing to cultural oppression.
Read more »
'Fitting Name for Oppressors': Washington Commanders Accused of Defamation by Native American Group in Federal LawsuitA Native American group is filing suit against the Washington Commanders, accusing the NFL franchise of defamation and suppressing Native American history.
Read more »
Back to Action: Goal set to get 3,000 new Washington food bank volunteersSeattle Seahawks players and volunteers were on hand Saturday to help out and encourage the public to support their community.
Read more »
New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez to hold news conference days after federal indictmentPowerful Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez and his wife were indicted on Friday on federal bribery charges.
Read more »
Flaring at the Martinez Refinery Friday nightCommunities around the Martinez Refinery could see and hear flaring on Friday night, which often occurs when a refinery needs to burn off flammable gas due to pressure or other issues.
Read more »