CHICAGO ATTORNEY ARRESTED FOR FINANCIAL CRIMES
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 — An attorney who has been practicing law for almost 25 years and who is already facing numerous state complaints tied to his financial practices, was recently arrested and charged with writing numerous bad checks to an associate, all of which bounced, Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart has announced.
Michael Skoubis, 48, of Des Plaines, is charged with deceptive practice. Officers with the Cook County Sheriff’s financial crimes and public corruption unit launched an investigation last month after receiving a complaint from a business associate of Skoubis.
That victim said Skoubis owed him money and wrote him a check in January 2009 for $30,000, another in February 2009 for $10,000 and a third in March 2009 for $10,000. Each time, the checks were returned because the account had been closed in 2008.
The victim repeatedly attempted to work with Skoubis to settle the matter and though Skoubis again offered checks, each came back returned. The victim finally turned to police for assistance.
An investigation revealed the state agency overseeing attorney conduct has 10 pending complaints filed against Skoubis relating to fees being paid by clients, but with no legal work being done on their behalf. Investigators found Skoubis, whose office is at 10 S. LaSalle St., primarily handles divorce cases.
Skoubis turned himself in to investigators on Saturday. He remains free on $60,000 bond. His next court date is set for May 13 in Skokie.