David Herron's home in North Lawndale has been in his family for more than six decades. Among other repairs, it needs a new roof and a new heating system.

Chicago businessman Mark Diamond victimized elderly, vulnerable homeowners in a years-long scheme with unfulfilled promises to fund repairs.

Mark Steven Diamond was sentenced to 17 years in prison after “bilking elderly homeowners in a reverse mortgage and home repair scheme.”

A man who pleaded guilty of scamming seniors on the city's South and West sides in a reverse mortgage scheme was sentenced Thursday. Mark Diamond was sentenced to 205 months—or 17 years and one month—in prison.

Diamond was sentenced to 205 months—or 17 years and one month—in prison. He was also ordered to pay $2.7 million in restitution.

"Diamond and the co-schemers targeted elderly victims in the Chicago area based on the amount of equity in their homes and their relative lack of financial sophistication," according to the United Sta