ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL OBTAINS 3-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE IN CASE AGAINST SUBURBAN CHICAGO WOMAN FOR STEALING FROM STATE TREASURER FRERICHS’ UNCLAIMED PROPERTY PROGRAM

ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL OBTAINS 3-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE IN CASE AGAINST SUBURBAN CHICAGO WOMAN FOR STEALING FROM STATE TREASURER FRERICHS' UNCLAIMED PROPERTY PROGRAM

October 14, 2026

Chicago - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced that an Orland Park, Illinois woman who was alleged to have stolen nearly $250,000 in unclaimed property from four victims by filing fraudulent claims with Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs' Unclaimed Property Division has pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Maria Michaud, 40, pleaded guilty in Lake County Circuit Court today to one count of identity theft, a Class 2 felony, and one count of money laundering, also a Class 2 felony. Lake County Associate Judge D. Christopher Lombardo sentenced Michaud to three years in prison.

Raoul's office has also filed a forfeiture proceeding to recover funds that were stolen by Michaud. That proceeding is currently pending with the Cook County Circuit Court.

"I am pleased with today's sentence that holds the defendant accountable for purposefully defrauding the state of Illinois," Raoul said. "I will continue to collaborate with Treasurer Frerichs and federal law enforcement agencies to investigate and hold individuals accountable for abusing programs designed to benefit Illinoisans."

According to Raoul's office, Michaud filed four fraudulent claims with the Illinois Treasurer's office for unclaimed property in other individuals' names. Michaud opened numerous bank accounts in the names of her victims.

The investigation was opened after the Illinois Treasurer's Unclaimed Property Division flagged the paid claims as potentially being fraudulent.
"We take seriously our responsibility to return missing money to the rightful owners and seek prosecution and restitution when con artists lie, cheat, and steal to obtain money that does not belong to them," Frerichs said. "I commend Attorney General Raoul for helping us protect the citizens of Illinois."

The unclaimed property victims in this case did not lose their money, Frerichs said.
Assistant Attorney General John Brassil prosecuted the case for Raoul's Special Prosecutions Bureau.