David Lawler (upper left); Steven Cook (upper right); Justin Maze (lower left); Brandon Zanotti (lower right)
MARION, Ill. (WJPF) – Federal prosecutors have released more details surrounding an illegal real estate deal involving a former state’s attorney, a sitting circuit clerk, a bank president, and a prominent attorney.
In May, the US Attorney’s Office announced that former Williamson County State’s Attorney Brandon Zanotti was sentenced to probation for his role in a scheme involving the sale of seven commercial rental properties by falsifying bank documents.
On Thursday, federal prosecutors released more information about Zanotti’s co-conspirators. They say Williamson County Circuit Clerk Justin Maze and Marion attorney David Lawlwer also took part in the fraud and both have entered into pretrial diversion programs. Steven Cook, the now former president of SouthernTrust Bank, was also involved, according to prosecutors, and will be sentenced in September.
Prosecutors say all four men knew they were falsifying bank documents and lying on loan applications in multiple real estate transactions.
The Justice Department also clarified the reason Williamson Circuit Clerk Justin Maze resigned from office. Earlier this week, Maze announced his resignation, citing an upcoming military deployment. Prosecutors add that Maze was forced to resign as circuit clerk as part of pretrial diversion p and agreed not to seek re-election to any public office.
