Des Plaines attorney charged over bad checks

A Des Plaines attorney has been charged with deceptive practice after allegedly writing a series of bad checks he failed to make good on.

Michael Skoubis, 48, who has been practicing law for almost 25 years, turned himself in to Cook County Sheriff's investigators Saturday and is now free on $60,000 bond, authorities said.

According to the sheriff's office, Skoubis wrote three checks to a business associate just over a year ago, one for $30,000 and two for $10,000, and all bounced because the account had been closed in 2008. The associate told county investigators that attempts to collect the debt only resulted in more returned checks.

Skoubis could not immediately be reached for comment.

Authorities said the investigation also turned up 10 pending complaints by clients who claimed they'd paid fees to Skoubis when he had done no legal work on their behalf.

Skoubis' next court date is May 13 in Skokie.