Jessica A. O'Brien
Jessica A. O'Brien was a judge of the Cook Judicial Circuit Court in Illinois from 2012 to 2018. She was elected to this position on Nov. 6, 2012, to replace former Judge Henry Simmons.[1] She resigned effective September 4, 2018, after being convicted of fraud.[2] Click here for more information.
Elections
2012
O'Brien was elected to the Cook Judicial Circuit Court without opposition on Nov. 6, 2012. She filled the vacancy left by former Judge Henry Simmons (and soon after vacated by his temporary replacement, Cynthia Y. Cobbs). She won the Democratic primary on March 20, 2012, receiving 47.79 percent of the vote.[3][4][1]
- See also: Illinois judicial elections, 2012
Noteworthy events
Resignation following wire fraud conviction (2018)
On September 4, 2018, O'Brien resigned from office after a federal judge denied motions for acquittal or a new trial following her February 2018 conviction on bank and mortgage fraud charges stemming from her career as a realtor.[2]
O'Brien was indicted on April 12, 2017. According to the indictment, O'Brien made false statements about her income and her real estate company's profits when applying for mortgages on two properties between 2004 and 2006. The two properties were purchased in 2007 by co-defendant Maria Bartko, a loan originator with Amronbanc Mortgage Corporation who was paid by O'Brien to purchase the properties.[5][6]
O'Brien did not make a public statement about the case following her indictment. She was reassigned to non-judicial activities by Presiding Judge E. Kenneth Wright, Jr. on the day of her indictment. O'Brien pleaded not guilty during her arraignment April 20, 2017.[5] On April 25, 2017, Wright and a committee of judges decided to continue O'Brien's assignment to administrative duties until her legal proceedings were resolved.[7]
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Jessica O'Brien campaign website
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 ABA Journal, "Illinois judge convicted of fraud no longer on the bench, state high court says," September 13, 2018
- ↑ Illinois Board of Elections: November 6, 2012 Official Vote Scroll to p.128
- ↑ Cook County Clerk: Cook County Unofficial Primary Election Results, March 20, 2012 (as of 9:00AM, 3/21/12) Scroll to p.17
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Chicago Tribune, "Cook County judge indicted on mortgage fraud charges," April 12, 2017
- ↑ Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, "Judge indicted for alleged fraudulent mortgage scheme," April 12, 2017
- ↑ Fox 32, "Judge Jessica O'Brien removed from court over fraud charges," April 26, 2017
