Will County couple sentenced for million-dollar fraud

The U.S. Department of Justice says a Will County couple has been sentenced to federal prison for stealing more than $1 million through an investment scheme.

The department says 68-year-old James Pilon was sentenced Wednesday to 53 months in prison after pleading guilty to fraud before going to trial. Fifty-nine-year-old Verna Pilon pleaded guilty to fraud after her trial started in May and was sentenced Wednesday to 78 months.

The Monee couple took money through a pair of investment funds. One promised returns of 100 percent or more within 90 days of investment, but neither existed.

Authorities say the couple knew many of their roughly 40 victims and used the money to buy a $14,000 diamond ring and put a $125,000 down payment on a home in California.