Convicted Felon Posed as Pablo Escobar Kin, Duping Judge, Ex-Governor's Aide, and Sports Executive

A convicted felon who claimed to be a relative of drug lord Pablo Escobar has allegedly defrauded multiple women, including a Chicago-area judge, a former aide to Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, and a White Sox businesswoman. Jawad Fakroune, 46, who used aliases such as 'Angelino Escobar,' was sentenced earlier this year to six and a half years in prison for extortion and assault.

Cook County Judge Jeanne Wrenn and former Pritzker aide Lisa Duarte have both identified themselves as victims of Fakroune, though they have not elaborated on the nature of their relationships or the extent of their alleged victimization. Patricia 'Trisha' Rooney, a board member for the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, also reportedly had a personal relationship with Fakroune, according to court testimony.

Authorities stated that Fakroune obtained millions of dollars through wire transfers by presenting false business ventures to various individuals. One documented scheme involved promising an unnamed NBA player a monthly return on investments in cannabis and shipping container operations, totaling $2,450,000. Instead, Fakroune allegedly used the funds for personal assets, including properties in Illinois and New York City, a luxury vehicle, and designer watches.

Court documents indicate that Lisa Duarte, who was in a romantic relationship with Fakroune and handled his financial transactions, provided him with $168,000 for a purported investment in gold. Duarte is not accused of any wrongdoing and has stated she is among "a long trail of victims." Records show Duarte paid nearly $20,000 in property taxes for a $2.5 million Lemont estate that Fakroune occupied, with the tax bills sent to Duarte's Lincoln Park condo. Duarte is currently a managing partner at a law firm and serves on the board of the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission.

Judge Jeanne Wrenn, through her attorney Todd Pugh, declined to comment on the matter due to a pending federal investigation. Pugh confirmed Wrenn had a past relationship with Fakroune.

Patricia 'Trisha' Rooney allegedly dated Fakroune, and court testimony indicates she was present during an incident where Fakroune allegedly pulled a gun on a business partner. This assault charge stemmed from an altercation with a Chicago-area restauranteur, whom Fakroune reportedly threatened and battered, demanding $1.5 million he claimed was owed to him. During the incident, Fakroune allegedly choked the victim, punched him, and made death threats against him and his family, while asserting his connections to the Escobar cartel.

Fakroune, a Moroccan national, has been residing in the U.S. legally since 2001. However, he faced deportation proceedings in 2012 after being convicted of crimes including identity theft, grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, and bribery of a public servant. He was sentenced to four to 12 years and released in March 2012.