Antioch man charged with embezzling millions from nonprofit organization he led

An Antioch man was indicted Tuesday on federal fraud charges in connection with the embezzlement of millions of dollars in cash and real estate from a nonprofit organization he headed, according to the U.S. attorney's office.

William Schneider, 54, was the former executive director of an organization identified as “Nonprofit A” whose mission included developing and providing affordable housing to low-income residents and seniors in Chicago and Florida, according to authorities.

Schneider was indicted on five counts of wire fraud and two counts of mail fraud, according to a press release. An arraignment in U.S. District Court in Chicago has not been scheduled.

Federal prosecutors allege that from 2018 to 2022 Schneider fraudulently transferred cash and real estate interests from the nonprofit to himself and concealed the fraud by fabricating documents falsely reflecting the transfers had been authorized.

The real estate interests included the rights to use the roof of a Northlake senior living facility owned by the nonprofit as a location for a cellphone tower, according to an indictment returned Tuesday.

In early 2022, Schneider caused the nonprofit to assign its interest in a cellphone tower lease to a company he owned and controlled in exchange for no money or other consideration, the indictment alleges. Schneider then sold the interest in the roof to a third-party real estate company for approximately $500,000, the indictment states.

The charges also allege that Schneider solicited and obtained kickbacks or bribes from brokerage and architectural firms retained by the nonprofit for development projects in Illinois and Florida.

Schneider also schemed to take complete financial control of a senior living facility in south suburban Calumet Park that had been owned and developed by the nonprofit, the charges allege.

Each count in the indictment is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison, authorities said.