Ex-Lawyer Gets 6 Years For $82K In Bank Fraud: Prosecutors

GLENDALE HEIGHTS, IL — An ex-attorney from Glendale Heights was sentenced to six years in prison in connection with a two-year scheme in which he stole his girlfriend's information to commit more than $82,000 in bank fraud. The incidents took place between 2015 and 2017, according to prosecutors, along with a string of other fraud incidents totaling $845,831.58.

In 2024 Leonard DeFranco, 71, pleaded guilty to financial institution fraud, identity theft, forgery, obstruction of justice and continuing financial crimes. He was disbarred as of March 2024.

During the time between December 2015 and June 2017, DeFranco used the woman's information to get four bank loans that totaled $82,700, per a news release. Police say the woman alerted authorities after she noticed the activity on her credit report.

Prosecutors say it was later discovered that DeFranco used the woman's information to buy an Audi A8 for $43,500.

An ongoing investigation revealed DeFranco stole the identity of five other people to defraud six financial institutions in the amount of $845,831.58, proseuctors said.

“White collar financial crimes always leave a paper trail,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement.

Berlin added, “This afternoon, Mr. DeFranco learned that the paper trail in this case is leading him to a six-year sentence in the penitentiary. His scheming and deception brought dishonor to the legal profession and a slap in the face to his former girlfriend, to whom he undoubtedly caused a financial hardship.