Robert Beck

Bond has been set for a Wheaton attorney accused of stealing more than $2 million from clients over a three and one half year period. Robert Beck, 48, of Embden Lane, appeared in Bond Court this afternoon where Judge Timothy McJoynt set bond at $250,000 with 10 percent to apply.

It is alleged that from between July, 2011 through at least January, 2015, Beck bilked the trusts for the estates of four deceased former clients and at least three current clients out of approximately $1 million. Beck would reportedly steal money from a client’s trust for the estate and use that money for personal and business expenses.

According to the DuPage County State’s Attorney, Beck would then steal money from another client’s trust for the estate and use that money to pay back the estate of his previous victims. He shifted approximately $1.26 million between the trusts using one to pay the heirs of another to cover up the thefts. The scheme came to light when a bank investigator became suspicious and contacted Will County authorities, who in turn contacted the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office.

“The alleged abuse of the trust placed in Mr. Beck by his clients is extremely disheartening,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said. “What I find particularly disturbing about this case is that Mr. Beck allegedly stole from the heirs of his deceased clients. Thankfully, his alleged scheme was uncovered. I would like to thank the Crest Hill Police Department as well as the Will County State’s Attorney, particularly Assistant State’s Attorney Chris Koch.”

Beck has been charged with one count of Theft Over $1,000,000, a Class X Felony punishable by up to thirty years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

— Wheaton attorney charged with stealing from deceased clients —