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Home Court filings USA v. Distefano

Case docket

USA v. Distefano — U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois

USA v. Distefano — U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois — 88 documents in the archive, dated September 10, 2024 to September 17, 2026.

Case facts

CourtU.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Docket numberNo. 1:24-cr-00424 — main docket · CourtListener docket 464178
Filings88 public filings
Filed2024-09-10 – 2026-09-17
Original PDFs88 of 88

Case summary

Francesco Distefano was charged in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, No. 1:24-cr-00424; a second superseding indictment was returned on December 10, 2024. A government detention filing of December 12, 2024 describes the charges as 11 counts of wire fraud, five counts of money laundering and one count of making a false statement to a financial institution, arising from Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loan and mortgage loan applications filed between March 2020 and February 2021. He pleaded guilty to count 1ss, wire fraud. Judgment was entered March 20, 2026 and twice amended: 78 months' imprisonment, three years of supervised release, a $100 assessment and restitution of $3,368,892.42. A forfeiture money judgment of $1,049,595 was entered on March 19, 2026.

Case at a glance

Defendant(s)Francesco Distefano. The government's filings refer to a co-defendant, not named in the judgment on this page
Court and docketU.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, No. 1:24-CR-00424(1), Judge Jeremy C. Daniel
DistrictNorthern District of Illinois prosecutions →
ProgramPaycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, both described in the indictment and the government's filings
ChargesCount of conviction as printed: 18:1343.F Fraud By Wire, Radio, Or Television, offense ended 07/20/2020, count 1ss of the second superseding indictment
Outcome and sentencePleaded guilty to count 1ss; judgment entered March 20, 2026, amended March 31 and April 3, 2026 to correct a clerical mistake: 78 months' imprisonment, three years of supervised release, $100 assessment and $3,368,892.42 restitution, plus a $1,049,595 forfeiture money judgment. The original and superseding indictments and counts 2ss through 17ss were dismissed on the motion of the United States
Status checked2026-09-23 · against the court docket and DOJ press releases through 2026-09-22

What was Distefano sentenced to?

78 months as to count 1ss of the second superseding indictment, with a recommendation of FPC Terre Haute, Indiana, and three years of supervised release as to the same count.

What does the government say the schemes obtained?

Its December 12, 2024 filing states that two charged schemes fraudulently obtained approximately $3,330,947 in PPP and EIDL funds and would have obtained an additional $3,458,696 in fraudulent second-draw PPP loans but for the intervention of law enforcement in February 2021.

What was forfeited?

A money judgment of $1,049,595 under 18 U.S.C. § 981(a)(1)(C), 28 U.S.C. § 2461(c) and Rule 32.2. The order records net sale proceeds deposited in the Asset Forfeiture Fund, including $167,878.98 for a 2016 Lamborghini Huracan, $87,378.50 for a 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera S, $10,926.98 for a 2020 Land Rover Evoque and $4,670.98 for a 2017 Maserati Ghibli.

Docket

88 documents in docket-entry order; attachments follow their entry. Gaps name the entries we do not have.

No. 1:24-cr-00424

  1. Indictment as to Francesco Distefano (1) count(s) 1 — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 1, N.D. Ill.)Entry 1
  2. DESIGNATION Sheet: FELONY (Category 4) — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 2)Entry 2
  3. —Entries 3–4 are not in the archive
  4. ATTORNEY Appearance for defendant Francesco Distefano by Jennifer Waugh Corinis — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 5)Entry 5
  5. Order: Initial appearance and arraignment — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 6, N.D. Ill.)Entry 6
  6. Order Pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 5(f) — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 7, N.D. Ill.)Entry 7
  7. Order Appointing Counsel under Cja (filed 2024-09-11)Entry 8
  8. Attorney Appearance for defendant Francesco Distefano by John C. Legutki — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 9, N.D. Ill.)Entry 9
  9. Notification of Docket Entry — In-Person Detention Hearing Reset to 9/17/2024 — USA v. Distefano (N.D. Ill., 2024-09-13)Entry 10
  10. Attorney Appearance for defendant Francesco Distefano by Nick Oberheiden — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 11, N.D. Ill.)Entry 11
  11. —Entry 12 is not in the archive
  12. Notification of Docket Entry — Defendant Waives Detention Hearing and Consents to DetentionEntry 13
  13. Motion by USA for protective order as to Francesco Distefano Motion for Entry — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 14, N.D. Ill.)Entry 14
  14. Text of Proposed Order — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 14.1)Entry 14, attachment 1
  15. Notice of Motion by Jeffrey S. Snell for presentment of motion — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 15, N.D. Ill.)Entry 15
  16. Protective Order Governing Discovery — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 16, N.D. Ill.)Entry 16
  17. Notification of Docket Entry — Status Hearing to Be Held by Webex (Doc. 17, filed 2024-09-26)Entry 17
  18. Notification of Docket Entry — Telephone Status Hearing Held; Continued to 10/30/2024Entry 18
  19. —Entry 19 is not in the archive
  20. Notification of Docket Entry — Telephone Status Hearing Held; Continued to 12/12/2024Entry 20
  21. Motion to Withdraw as Counsel (Doc. 21, filed 2024-11-15)Entry 21
  22. Notification of Docket Entry — Motion Hearing Set for 12/12/2024 — USA v. Distefano (N.D. Ill., 2024-11-18)Entry 22
  23. Notice of withdrawal of motion by Francesco Distefano — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 23, N.D. Ill.)Entry 23
  24. Notification of Docket Entry — Motion to Withdraw as Attorney Withdrawn — USA v. Distefano (N.D. Ill., 2024-11-22)Entry 24
  25. Unopposed Motion to Withdraw as Counsel — USA v. Distefano (N.D. Ill.)Entry 25
  26. Attorney Appearance for defendant Francesco Distefano by Robert A. Fisher — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 26, N.D. Ill.)Entry 26
  27. Notice of Filing — USA v. Distefano (N.D. Ill.)Entry 27
  28. Attorney Appearance for defendant Francesco Distefano by Barry A. Spevack — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 28, N.D. Ill.)Entry 28
  29. Motion by Francesco Distefano For Hearing On Detention — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 29, N.D. Ill.)Entry 29
  30. Notice of Motion by Barry A. Spevack for presentment of motion — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 30, N.D. Ill.)Entry 30
  31. Superseding Indictment as to Francesco Distefano (1) count(s) 2-11, 12, 13-17 — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 31, N.D. Ill.)Entry 31
  32. DESIGNATION Sheet: FELONY (Category 4) — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 32)Entry 32
  33. —Entries 33–34 are not in the archive
  34. Motion to Withdraw as Attorney Granted; Detention Motion Referred to Magistrate Judge — USA v. Distefano (N.D. Ill.)Entry 35
  35. Notification of Docket Entry — Hearing on Motion for Release from Custody Set for 12/13/2024Entry 36
  36. Notification of Docket Entry — Case Referred to Magistrate Judge Cole for Detention HearingEntry 37
  37. Transfer of Case to the Executive Committee for a Referral to Magistrate JudgeEntry 37, attachment 1
  38. —Entry 38 is not in the archive
  39. Second Superseding Indictment as to Francesco Distefano (1) count(s) 1s-11s, 12s — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 39, N.D. Ill.)Entry 39
  40. DESIGNATION Sheet: FELONY (Category 4) — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 40)Entry 40
  41. —Entries 41–43 are not in the archive
  42. Notification of Docket Entry — Telephone Status Hearing Held; Status Hearing Set for 1/30/2025Entry 44
  43. Government's Memorandum in Support of Continued Detention — United States v. Francesco DistefanoEntry 45
  44. Order: An Arraignment hearing was held on 12/13/24 — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 46, N.D. Ill.)Entry 46
  45. Notice of Correction 46.(gcy,) (Main Document 47 replaced on 12/17/2024) — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 47, N.D. Ill.)Entry 47
  46. Notification of Docket Entry — Status Hearing Set for 1/7/2025 Stricken — USA v. Distefano (N.D. Ill., 2025-01-06)Entry 48
  47. —Entries 49–50 are not in the archive
  48. Notification of Docket Entry — Status Hearing to Be Held by Webex (Doc. 51, filed 2025-01-27)Entry 51
  49. —Entry 52 is not in the archive
  50. Notification of Docket Entry — Telephone Status Hearing Held; Continued to 4/1/2025Entry 53
  51. —Entries 54–57 are not in the archive
  52. Notification of Docket Entry — Status Hearing Reset to 4/8/2025 — USA v. Distefano (N.D. Ill., 2025-03-31)Entry 58
  53. Notification of Docket Entry — Status Hearing to Be Held by Webex (Doc. 59, filed 2025-04-07)Entry 59
  54. Notification of Docket Entry — Telephone Status Hearing Held; Continued to 6/10/2025Entry 60
  55. Motion by Francesco Distefano for release from custody Unopposed to set date for HearingEntry 61
  56. Exhibit Appearance Bond — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 61.1)Entry 61, attachment 1
  57. Exhibit Order Setting Conditions of Release (Proposed) — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 61.2)Entry 61, attachment 2
  58. Notice of Filing as toFrancesco Distefano regarding Motion — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 62, N.D. Ill.)Entry 62
  59. Notification of Docket Entry — Motion Hearing Set for 4/24/2025 — USA v. Distefano (N.D. Ill., 2025-04-18)Entry 63
  60. Notification of Docket Entry — Motion Hearing Held — USA v. Distefano (N.D. Ill., 2025-04-24)Entry 64
  61. —Entries 65–67 are not in the archive
  62. FORFEITURE AGREEMENT by USA as to Francesco Distefano (Received at the Intake Counter on… — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 68)Entry 68
  63. Motion by Francesco Distefano for return of property Unopposed — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 69, N.D. Ill.)Entry 69
  64. Exhibit List of property — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 69.1)Entry 69, attachment 1
  65. Exhibit Letter withdrawing FOIA Request — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 69-2, N.D. Ill.)Entry 69, attachment 2
  66. Notice of of Filing as toFrancesco Distefano regarding Motion — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 70, N.D. Ill.)Entry 70
  67. —Entries 71–74 are not in the archive
  68. Notice of Motion by Robert A. Fisher for presentment of motion for return — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 75, N.D. Ill.)Entry 75
  69. —Entry 76 is not in the archive
  70. Notification of Docket Entry — Status Hearing to Be Held by Webex (Doc. 77, filed 2025-06-09)Entry 77
  71. Notification of Docket Entry — Telephone Status Hearing Held; Unopposed Motion for Return of PropertyEntry 78
  72. —Entry 79 is not in the archive
  73. Change of Plea Hearing Reset to 2:00 p.m. (Time Change Only) — USA v. Distefano (N.D. Ill.)Entry 80
  74. Order as to Francesco Distefano — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 81, N.D. Ill.)Entry 81
  75. PLEA Agreement as to Francesco Distefano — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 82, N.D. Ill.)Entry 82
  76. —Entries 83–85 are not in the archive
  77. In-Court Hearing Set for July 23, 2025 at 2:00 P.M — USA v. Distefano (N.D. Ill.)Entry 86
  78. Clerk's Minutes — Revocation Hearing Held — USA v. Distefano (N.D. Ill.)Entry 87
  79. ORDER as to Francesco Distefano — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 88)Entry 88
  80. —Entries 89–92 are not in the archive
  81. Transcript of Proceedings as to Francesco Distefano — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 93, N.D. Ill.)Entry 93
  82. —Entry 94 is not in the archive
  83. Notification of Docket Entry — Case Referred to Probation Office for Presentence ReportEntry 95
  84. Notification of Docket Entry — Order Amended; Presentence Report Due 2/3/2026 — USA v. Distefano (N.D. Ill., 2025-12-03)Entry 96
  85. —Entry 97 is not in the archive
  86. ATTORNEY Appearance for defendant Francesco Distefano by Jacqueline Sharon Jacobson — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 98)Entry 98
  87. —Entry 99 is not in the archive
  88. MOTION re bond 66 , forfeiture agreement 68 Motion to Exonerate Bond — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 100)Entry 100
  89. Order Exonerating Bond — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 101, N.D. Ill.)Entry 101
  90. —Entries 102–108 are not in the archive
  91. Transcript of Proceedings as to Francesco DiStefano — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 109, N.D. Ill.)Entry 109
  92. Francesco Distefano's Objections to the PSR, Sentencing Submission and Request for a Below Guidelines SentenceEntry 110
  93. Exhibits 1-14 — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 110-1, N.D. Ill.)Entry 110, attachment 1
  94. Government's Sentencing Memorandum — United States v. Francesco DistefanoEntry 111
  95. —Entry 112 is not in the archive
  96. Notification of Docket Entry — Sentencing Hearing Reset to 3/18/2026 — USA v. Distefano (N.D. Ill., 2026-02-27)Entry 113
  97. —Entries 114–115 are not in the archive
  98. Government's Response to Defendant's Objections to the PSR, Francesco Distefano — USA v. DistefanoEntry 116
  99. RESPONSE by USA to response 116 , sentencing memorandum 110 AMENDED RESPONSE TO… — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 117)Entry 117
  100. Motion by USA for forfeiture as to Francesco Distefano for Entry — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 118, N.D. Ill.)Entry 118
  101. —Entries 119–123 are not in the archive
  102. Notification of Docket Entry — Sentencing Held; Motion for Forfeiture Money Judgment Order GrantedEntry 124
  103. Judgment (Sentencing Order) as to Francesco Distefano (1) — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 125, N.D. Ill.)Entry 125
  104. —Entry 126 is not in the archive
  105. Forfeiture Money Judgment Order as to Francesco Distefano — USA v. Distefano (Dkt. 127, N.D. Ill.)Entry 127
  106. Amended Judgment in a Criminal Case — United States v. Francesco Distefano (N.D. Ill.)Entry 128
  107. Amended Judgment in a Criminal Case as to Francesco Distefano — USA v. Distefano (N.D. Ill.)Entry 129
  108. —Entries 130–138 are not in the archive
  109. Forfeiture motion concerning Sargis UrumiehEntry 139
  110. Preliminary Order of Forfeiture — United States v. Sargis Urumieh, No. 24 CR 424-2Entry 140
  111. —Entries 141–143 are not in the archive
  112. Agreed motion to extend third-party forfeiture petition deadlineEntry 144
  113. —Entry 145 is not in the archive
  114. Agreed order extending third-party forfeiture petition deadlineEntry 146

Other cases in the archive from U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Court, dates and docket numbers are as recorded on the filings.

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