Related Federal Cases
- Munster Doc Joshi Jailed for Opioid Scam · Illinois
- Coverson Sentenced to 41 Months in Mail Fraud Scam · Illinois
- Western Union Scam · Washington
- Taxi Scam: 68-Year-Old Northbrook Man Sentenced for Falsifying Titles of Salvaged Cars · Illinois
- Live Nation Faces Trial Over Monopoly Practices · Washington
$4.5M Lawyer Scam: Conour Pleads Guilty
INDIANAPOLIS – In a shocking turn of events, 66-year-old Indianapolis attorney William F. Conour has pleaded guilty to defrauding more than 25 clients of over $4.5 million since 1999. Conour, who has been in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service since his bond was revoked on June 27, 2013, appeared before Chief U.S. District Judge Richard L. Young in Indianapolis for the hearing.
Conour’s sentencing has been scheduled for October 17, 2013. The guilty plea was announced by Jim Lewis, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois, and Robert A. Jones, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Indianapolis Division.
According to the information filed on August 14, 2012, Conour devoted most of his law practice to representing clients who had suffered serious injuries or death caused by construction site accidents, automobile collisions, and accidents resulting in traumatic brain injury. However, Conour allegedly engaged in a scheme to defraud his clients from 1999 through April 2012 by keeping a majority of their settlement proceeds for his own use and benefit.
As part of the scheme, Conour did not deposit the full amount of client settlements into client ‘trust’ accounts; instead, he funded the trusts on a yearly basis with funds only sufficient to enable the client to receive monthly payments for a year. Furthermore, Conour used newly obtained settlement funds to pay old settlements and debts.
The offense of wire fraud carries a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Conour may also be ordered to pay full restitution to victims of the offense.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance provided by the Indiana State Police, is conducting the investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana has been recused in this matter, and the U.S. Attorney General appointed the Central District of Illinois to handle the case prosecution.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason M. Bohm is prosecuting the case. Conour’s actions are a stark reminder of the importance of holding lawyers accountable for their actions and ensuring that the public trust is upheld.
Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News