Radio host indicted in $10 million fraud case

A suburban lawyer who hosts a national radio talk show has been indicted for defrauding lenders out of nearly $10 million, authorities said.

The U.S. attorney’s office in Chicago announced the charges against Warren Ballentine on Monday.

The 41-year-old is accused conspiring with others to secure more than two dozen fraudulent mortgage loans.

The six-count federal indictment includes charges of bank and wire fraud. Each count carries a maximum prison term of 30 years. The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of nearly $10 million.

Ballentine’s arraignment is set for Feb. 5

Prosecutors say Ballentine owns a law office in suburban Country Club Hills but now lives in Durham, N.C. There’s no current listing for his law office and a residential number for Ballentine in Durham didn’t answer.