Illinois Bank prez Cook Pleads Guilty to Fraudulent Records Scheme

BENTON, Ill. – The president of SouthernTrust Bank in Illinois, Steven Cook, has admitted to orchestrating a scheme to falsify bank records to secure real estate loans. Cook pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Benton to three felony counts of aiding and abetting the making of a false bank entry.

Cook was the president of the bank, which operates branches in Marion, Vienna, and Goreville, Illinois. He was also on the bank’s board and part of its loan committee. His fraudulent activities targeted Lawler and Maze Properties LLC, facilitating three real estate transactions in 2022.

In one instance, Cook approved a loan for the purchase of seven commercial rental properties from Results Home Buyers 2 to Lawler and Maze. The transaction was falsely documented as a refinancing, with the bank providing cash for the purchase. The actual sales price was $436,122, significantly less than the falsified $545,152, and no cash was provided by the buyers.

The scheme involved backdating documents to make it appear as if the properties were purchased on Feb. 1, 2022, for an inflated price, while in reality, the sale occurred later that year. Results Home Buyers 2, partially owned by former Williamson County State’s Attorney Brandon Zanotti, was also involved in the scheme.

Lawler and Maze Properties LLC, owned by Justin Maze and David Lawler, acknowledged their involvement in the criminal conduct through a pretrial diversion program. Maze resigned from his position as Williamson County Circuit Clerk and agreed not to seek re-election to any public office.

The FBI Springfield Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge Shannon Fontenot emphasized the seriousness of financial fraud, stating that the FBI will investigate anyone who abuses their trusted positions for personal gain. Cook’s sentencing hearing is set for September 19th.