Closing Arguments Continue In Grant Fraud Trial
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Lawyers for a Chicago couple charged with stealing $3.4 million in taxpayer money intended for use on public-health programs are to address a federal criminal jury.
Closing arguments are scheduled Tuesday in the case of 77-year-old Leon Dingle Jr. and his wife, 75-year-old Karin. They face multiple counts of mail fraud, money laundering and conspiracy. Prosecutors say the Dingles were part of a scheme to collect $5 million in Illinois Department of Public Health grant money out of $11 million issued between 2004 and 2007.
The money was intended for AIDS awareness and other public-health campaigns.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Bass told the jury in a 2 1/2-hour closing argument Monday the Dingles did little or no work. But their lawyers have said they followed the rules and worked hard.
(TM and © Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)