'Financial predator' gets 4 years for passing bad checks

For nearly 10 months, Valdas Lukosius swindled dozens of unsuspecting mom-and-pop shop owners in a prolific theft scheme that began when he bought a fellow Lithuanian man's identity.

Lukosius was sentenced Monday to four years in prison.

The 47-year-old Darien man is eligible for parole after serving half the prison term, but he still faces similar charges in Cook, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties.

Lukosius made off with $32,678.01 worth of wares from September 2008 through June 2009 by writing 38 fraudulent checks at stores across DuPage County.

He obtained bikes, cigars, computers, watches, a fountain pump, food processor, a sewing machine and even a piano, the latter costing $3,238.92. Prosecutors said he victimized dozens of small business owners, many of whom were in court Monday to watch the sentencing hearing.

"This defendant is not just a guy who passes bad checks," said Prosecutor Mary K. Cronin, assisted by Maryanna Callas. "He is a financial predator. This is someone who steals from other people for no reason but to satisfy his own greed."

The scam began when Lukosius bought the identity from a fellow countyman before he returned to their native Lithuania, prosecutors said. Lukosius opened personal and business checking accounts at four banks under the man's name - Romualdas Girniukaitis or the alias Romas Burba - then began writing the bad checks.

Police in Oak Brook cracked the case last summer.

Lukosius pleaded guilty Dec. 1 to continuing financial crimes enterprise for writing four fraudulent checks at a Lombard restaurant supplies store. He faced either probation or up to 15 years in prison for the felony.

Prosecutors said Lukosius sold the stolen wares. He apologized Monday, and pledged to pay back his victims. His attorney, Scott Kent, said Lukosius not only cooperated with police, he even offered to help them catch other swindlers by teaching authorities the tricks of his trade. Kent sought probation so that Lukosius, who works in construction, could begin making restitution.

But DuPage Circuit Judge Daniel Guerin said he didn't have much faith Lukosius would be true to his word. The judge noted Lukosius was not in the U.S. legally.

"To run your own business takes a lot of work and effort," Guerin said. "It appears this defendant had no regard for the hardworking people operating these businesses."

Lukosius has prior criminal convictions for drunken driving, driving while license suspended and criminal damage to property.