A disbarred Chicago lawyer faces the possibility of a lengthy prison term after a jury convicted her this week in a mortgage fraud case.
The U.S. Attorney’s office in Chicago says jurors convicted Lorie Westerfield on three counts of wire fraud and acquitted her of an additional fraud count after a weeklong trial. Each count carries a maximum 20-year prison sentence. Westerfield remains free on bond as she awaits sentencing on Aug. 4.
Prosecutors accused the 46-year-old of acting as a seller’s attorney and title company representative in fraudulent transactions. She was among 67 Chicago-area defendants charged in a dozen mortgage fraud cases in 2008 as part of a nationwide crackdown, dubbed Operation Malicious Mortgage.
A message seeking comment from Westerfield’s attorney, Standish Willis, wasn’t immediately returned Tuesday evening.
Lock her up for 20 years. At least she lost her law license.
I know her personally, she is not a criminal…this is an outrage…