Federal prosecutors said that the former chief executive officer of Sentinel Management Group Inc. was found guilty yesterday of defrauding customers out of more than $500 million before the suburban Chicago firm collapsed in August 2007, Reuters reported yesterday. Jurors deliberated less than two hours in Chicago federal court before finding Eric Bloom guilty on 18 counts of wire fraud and one count of investment adviser fraud, following a four-week trial, the office of U.S. Attorney Zachary Fardon said. Each wire fraud count carries a maximum 20-year prison term plus a fine. The government is also seeking a forfeiture of more than $500 million.
