F-B-I agents say a house in the 25000 block of South Hoover Street in Monee was the headquarters for at least two fraudulent investment schemes. They have identified over 50 investors who lost a combined total of three-quarters of a million dollars during in a two to three year period.
From 2004 to 2006, investigators say Verna and James Pilon convinced consumers to use the financial programs of their company,Worldwide Management Partners. According to federal prosecutors, they were offering a pay off of 100 to 400 percent on a consumer's investment in one year.
The FBI began looking into the Pilons and their company when a few investors told them they had been ripped off. The FBI's Ross Rice says, "People were getting foreclosure notices on their homes. They were being evicted. Thats what first brought the case to light."
Now, a federal grand jury has indicted Verna and her husand on five counts each of wire fraud. Last month, agents arrested James Pilon at their Monee home However, Verna was no where to be found.
FBI agents are conducting a nationwide manhunt to find her. In addtion to having a home in Monee, investigators say Verna Pilon also has one in California.
Here is a detailed description of what agents say Verna looks like.
She is described as a 56 year old black female, about five feet eight inches tall, weighing around 155 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
She also goes by the name Rhana Farida Swaize El Bey.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:43 PM EDT2013-05-23 01:43:07 GMT
A bus chaperone is accused of going on a profanity-laced tirade towards a group of 12 and 13-year-olds and a piece of candy may be what started the incident.
A bus chaperone is accused of going on a profanity-laced tirade towards a group of 12 and 13-year-olds and a piece of candy may be what started the incident.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:44 PM EDT2013-05-22 23:44:14 GMT
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:29 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:29:45 GMT
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:15 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:15:21 GMT
An Army soldier has been charged with secretly photographing and videotaping women at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, including in a bathroom.
An Army soldier has been charged with secretly photographing and videotaping women at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, including in a bathroom.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:00 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:00:29 GMT
An emotional funeral service has been held for a Hofstra University student who was accidentally shot by police.
An emotional funeral service has been held for a Hofstra University student who was accidentally shot by police. Andrea Rebello's family followed the pastor Wednesday as he led her white cloth-draped coffin to the altar at St. Teresa of Avila Church in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:55 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:55:01 GMT
Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:27 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:27:26 GMT
Black and Hispanic men are more likely to be stopped in the Bronx and Brooklyn than other boroughs, according to an analysis of police street stop data released Wednesday by the New York Civil Liberties Union.
Black and Hispanic men are more likely to be stopped in the Bronx and Brooklyn than other boroughs, according to an analysis of police street stop data released Wednesday by the New York Civil Liberties Union.
