Jacques L Antoine, who is accused o...

Jacques L Antoine, who is accused of embezzling nearly $14 million from Harris Bank, is appealing a Florida magistrate's ruling to restrain him without bail pending trial.

Antoine has still to be indicted for the alleged embezzlement, which the FBI claims took place between 1998 and 2004 before Antoine's retirement from Harris in Chicago.

Antoine's attorney, Michael Laurato, sneered at the idea that the 58-year-old Antoine, who sustains from congestive heart disease and glaucoma, is a flight risk.

"Given Mr Antoine's grave medical condition and exigent ne for constant medical attention, flight to Haiti would for him be tantamount to a death sentence" Antoine's attorneys said.

Antoine, formerly of Naperville, was arrested last week at his Weston, Fla., residence He will be tried in Chicago, said assistant U attorney Brian Havey, who added Antoine could be indicted nearest month.

mwisniewski@suntimes.com

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

Provided on ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved