Federal Jury Convicts 7 in Insurance Scheme
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A federal jury convicted the top official in Cicero and six others of trying to steal $12 million from the corruption-ridden community through a bogus insurance scheme.
Town President Betty Loren-Maltese was convicted along with Michael Spano Sr., the man prosecutors say is the boss of organized crime in Cicero, just west of Chicago.
Each defendant was convicted of racketeering conspiracy except Bonnie LaGiglio, who was convicted of tax fraud. Former town treasurer Joseph DeChicio was acquitted on all counts.
The maximum sentence for racketeering is 20 years in prison, but most of the defendants were also convicted of mail fraud and tax fraud, counts that carry five-year sentences.
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