Federal prosecutors say they are discussing a possible agreement on wire fraud charges against McLean County Board chairman Matt Sorensen. (WJBC file photo)
By John Gregory
The next court date for former McLean County Board chairman Matt Sorensen may reveal whether his wire fraud case will go to trial.
In a short status hearing in Chicago Thursday, federal prosecutors said both sides are discussing an agreement on the five counts of wire fraud against Sorensen “short of trial.”
The attorney representing Sorensen’s co-defendant Navdeep Arora called such talk “presumptuous,” but did tell a federal judge that the defense should know how to proceed by the next hearing in the case, scheduled for May 10.
Sorensen is charged with taking more than $400,000 in consulting fees from clients, including State Farm, for work he never performed. Each of the five counts carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, along with fines and the requirement to make restitution. Both Sorensen and Arora have pleaded not guilty.
Sorensen wasn’t required to be present at Thursday’s hearing, according to his attorney, Stuart Chanen.
