Prosecutors: Anti-Government Group Illegally Moved Into Foreclosed Homes In Beverly, Morgan Park
(CBS) -- A South Side alderman calls it a "cancer" on his community: An anti-government group illegally moving into homes in foreclosure, and now two of the four men charged have been arrested.
At least 14 single family homes are involved, say authorities - that an anti-government group filed phony documents and illegally moved into homes under foreclosure.
19th Ward Alderman Matthew O'Shea says eight of the 14 homes are in the Beverly-Morgan Park area.
"For the past two years, these defendants have been a cancer in my community. They spread from block to block, infecting high quality, single family homes and destabilizing our otherwise safe, quiet streets," says O'Shea.
Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez says the four men who are charged would sometimes rent the property out, acting as landlords, charging $500 a month in rent.
Alvarez says the defendants thought of that as a donation to their anti-government group.
Alvarez says one of the group's leaders even conducted seminars on how to be a squatter -- and make a profit.
The two accused men who appeared in court - Torrez Moore and David Farr - received I-Bonds, meaning they won't be held in jail as they wait for their next court date.