Thieving Lawyer Charged With Stealing Even More Money: Cops

A lawyer jailed for allegedly looting $1 million from the estate of a World War II veteran, as well as ripping off two other clients for a total of more than $100,000, has been charged with stealing even more money.

John Pleta, 56, was hit with additional felony theft charges for allegedly stealing $300,000 from a 63-year-old widow.

Pleta convinced the New Lenox woman that she needed to fork over the $300,000 so it could be held in escrow pending the outcome of a probate case involving her husband’s death, according to a criminal complaint on file in Will County court.

Pleta, a Tinley Park resident who had set up his law practice in Mokena, was already in jail when the latest felony case was filed against him. He has been locked up since December, when he was charged with stealing from the living trust of World War II veteran Isadore Tobianksy. Tobiansky died at at the age of 93 in January 2013. He enlisted in the military in February 1942.

Pleta was then charged with stealing more than $100,000 from one client and more than $500 from another.
Pleta’s total bond was set at $1.6 million.

The Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission disbarred Pleta in May.

In June 2012, Pleta was charged with driving under the influence, despite his alleged attempt to talk the arresting officer out of it by letting him know he is an attorney.

“While escorting John to my squad, he stated, ‘Do you really have to go there? I’m a lawyer, you know,’” an officer said, according to a police report.