By Bryan Bloodworth
CHICAGO – Former McLean County Board Chairman Matt Sorenson has struck a plea agreement deal with the federal government and will likely change his plea in a hearing Sept. 28 in federal court in Chicago.
Sorensen was indicted on federal charges accusing him of fraud, along with co-defendent Navdeep Arora, in federal court in Chicago in January that accused the two of filing fraudulent invoices to several clients, including State Farm in Bloomington, charging them over $890,000 in unearned consulting fees.
Arora worked with an outside consulting firm, McKinsey and Co., while Sorensen worked as internal consultant for State Farm. The indictment accuses Sorensen of keeping at least $400,000 in consulting fees after the two created a couple shell companies called “Gabriel Solutions” and “Andy’s BCB.”
Sorenson faced five counts of wire fraud and each count carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Arora entered a not guilty plea and a trial date will be set after results from a mental health evaluation are completed. Arora’s attorney claims the results will affect the outcome of his court proceedings, showing Arora may not have been able to perpetrate fraud.
This story will be updated.
Bryan Bloodworth can be reached at bryan.bloodworth@cumulus.com
