Rockford Insurance Executive Charged with Defrauding More Than 100 Clients

ROCKFORD — A federal grand jury in Rockford today increased the number of fraud charges previously brought against TODD J. FENDLER, 41, of Rockford.

Fendler was initially charged on Feb. 28, 2017, with one count of mail fraud and one count of wire fraud. Today, the grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging Fendler with a total of 19 counts of wire fraud and one count of mail fraud, all in connection with a scheme to defraud former insurance clients of Fendler’s businesses. The superseding indictment alleges that Fendler defrauded over 100 clients of more than $800,000.

According to the superseding indictment, Fendler controlled and operated several insurance-related businesses in Rockford, including Surplus Market Solutions LLC, Northern Underwriting Managers Inc., and Northern Illinois Insurance Agency Inc. The superseding indictment alleges that Fendler obtained bank account information from businesses and individuals who had applied for insurance policies through Fendler’s companies, and used that information to withdraw funds from those businesses and individuals. Fendler did so, the superseding indictment states, by causing ACH and EFT withdrawals to be taken from the victims’ accounts without the victims’ knowledge or permission. The superseding indictment also alleges that Fendler created fictitious checks purportedly issued by the insurance applicants and deposited those fictitious checks into bank accounts he controlled.

Each count in the superseding indictment carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a maximum fine of $250,000. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines, as well as restitution.

Arraignment on the superseding indictment will be set for a later date before U.S. Magistrate Judge Iain D. Johnston in Rockford.

The superseding indictment was announced by Joel R. Levin, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and E. C. Woodson, Inspector-in-Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Chicago.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney John G. McKenzie.

The public is reminded that a superseding indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.