Vernon Hills lawyer charged with using clients' credit cards

A Vernon Hills lawyer is facing federal fraud charges after being accused of making unauthorized cash advances and purchases on his bankruptcy clients' credit cards.

Federal investigators working with a longtime employee of 47-year-old Bradley F. Aubel uncovered the lawyer's activities, prosecutors said. Aubel is also accused of bribing a witness and engaging in separate fraud schemes involving student and auto loans, according to court papers.

Prosecutors said Aubel's employee was arrested on identity theft charges a year ago. Aubel is accused of suggesting that the employee plead guilty to those charges and in exchange the lawyer would continue to pay the employee's salary and mortgage so that the employee wouldn't talk to authorities. He is also accused of paying the employee's sister $6,000 to go to Mexico so the woman could not speak to investigators.

The fraud charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years behind bars and a $250,000 fine.

Aubel could not immediately be reached for comment.