First Filipina American judge in Illinois convicted of fraud

Judge Jessica Arong O'Brien

A FILIPINA/AMERICAN judge was found guilty of fraud in a Chicago court Feb. 15.
Judge Jessica Arong O'Brien, 50, of Chicago, was found guilty of one count of bank fraud and one count of mail fraud affecting a financial institution. 

In a prepared statement, O’Brien said, “This too shall pass. I still do believe that ultimately, the truth will set me free.”

O'Brien has been on administrative leave since her indictment last year. She previously presided over a small-claims courtroom.

Elected in 2012, O'Brien was the first Filapina/American judge elected in Illinois, the first Asian elected as president of the Women's Bar Association of Illinois and is the wife of Cook County Judge Brendan O'Brien. 

Arong O'Brien immigrated to the U.S. after high school and studied restaurant management before becoming an attorney, according to online biographies.

The mortgage fraud scheme for which she was found guilty took place before she became a judge. At the time, she was working as a special assistant attorney general for the department of revenue, was chief counsel to the Illinois Lottery, owned her own real estate company and also worked part time as a loan originator for Linconwood-based Amronbanc Mortgage, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Her lawyer declined to comment on the verdict or whether or not he would appeal.

State law says that Arong O'Brien should be removed from her elected office.

Each of the two fraud counts carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison. Judge Thomas Durkin set Judge O'Brien's sentencing hearing for July 6.

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