Chicago Radio: Former Talk Host Gets Six Years for Fraud

Kathleen Niew

Former radio talk show host Kathleen Niew was sentenced to almost six years in federal prison Tuesday for fraud after stealing more than $2.3 million from clients who entrusted her with their life savings, according to The Chicago Tribune.

Prosecutors said Niew, then an attorney, led an Oak Park couple to believe she would hold the money for them for use at closings on commercial real estate deals but then misappropriated the money for herself, financing purchases of gold mining operations around the globe in an ill-fated scheme to garner hefty finder's fees.

U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber said Niew's risky investments were tantamount to ""putting it all on some long shot" at the racetrack.

Prosecutors had sought a 10-year prison term for Niew, who had pleaded guilty to 10 counts of fraud last June. Before her indictment, she was a self-styled real estate and probate law guru known for her Saturday morning call-in radio show on WIND 560 AM.

The judge said Niew's betrayal of her clients played a part in his decision to sentence her to five years and 10 months in prison. He also ordered her to pay restitution of $2.34 million, but it was unclear if Niew would be able to come up with any of the money.

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