Dogged by fraud allegations, Rev. Leon Finney Jr. will watch his real estate empire get auctioned off

Woodlawn Community Development Corporation’s 15 South Side properties go up for auction October 28, following the nonprofit’s bankruptcy, millions in debts, and fraud allegations weighing down its owner, Rev. Leon Finney Jr..

The auction will feature three properties near Finney’s famed Metropolitan Apostolic Community Church in Bronzeville, with a combined 44,000 square feet asking a total $525,000 minimum bid, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Two — at 4108 S. King Dr. and 4112 S. King Dr. — were the homes of Finney’s failed broadcast and education ventures, accompanied by a 37,0000-square-foot vacant lot one block west.

Two vacant lots at 2201 and 2211 S. State St. near the Cermak-McCormick Green Line station in the Prairie District, combine for nearly 15,000 square feet and a total $120,000 minimum bid.

A cluster of vacant residential properties west of Jackson Park, the future site of the Obama Center, will also face auction. A three-unit, 4,700-square-foot apartment building at 6121 S. Rhodes Ave has a $200,000 minimum bid; a residential property on Maryland Avenue asks only $25,000 starting price; a multi-unit apartment building near the Father Martin Farrell House asks $125,000; and a four-unit, 9,000-square-foot apartment building at 6232 S. Woodlawn Ave. built in 1914 has no minimum required bid. Six vacant lots nearby total about 28,000 square feet. Property details were taken from RedFin.

This is the latest in a string of investigations and accusations of corruption in real estate-related matters concerning Chicago elected officials and leaders.

Alderman Ed Burke is currently facing federal corruption charges for his alleged role in giving 601W Companies a tax break. He has denied wrongdoing. [Sun Times] — Sarah Paynter