Facing Several Lawsuits & Questions On Immigration Status, Chicago Condo Developer Takes A Hike

In Illinois, the Chicago Sun-Times reports:

• Andrius Augunas used to lead the high life of a Chicago condominium builder. He drove a Bentley, draped expensive clothes over his athletic frame and bought a $4.2 million house in Winnetka. He talked boldly of remaking the Near South Side, with each plan more ambitious than the last. But his former business partners wonder if they'll ever see him again. Augunas, president of Rokas International Inc., owes them money. They say he has essentially abandoned two Near South Side projects, both embroiled in lawsuits and one of which is under construction. Plaintiffs in those cases said Augunas has returned to his native Lithuania. Opinion is divided as to whether he's fleeing his business failures or had a legitimate immigration issue.

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• Augunas [...] planned a 205-unit complex at 2100 S. Indiana, a mix of lofts and a high-rise. But his lender in that deal, First DuPage Bank, has sued to foreclose on the site, accusing Augunas and his companies of owing more than $12.5 million.

For more, see Builder can't be found (Facing lawsuits on Near S. Side, he may have returned to Lithuania).

See also, Crain's Chicago Business: Foreclosure suit filed on Augunas condo project.

Go here for other posts on Andrius Augunas.