CHICAGO — The U.S. Department of Justice says a Will County couple has been sentenced to federal prison for stealing more than $1 million through an investment scheme.

The department says 68-year-old James Pilon was sentenced Wednesday to 53 months in prison after pleading guilty to fraud before going to trial. Fifty-nine-year-old Verna Pilon pleaded guilty to fraud after her trial started in May and was sentenced Wednesday to 78 months.

The Monee couple took money through a pair of investment funds. One promised returns of 100 percent or more within 90 days of investment, but neither existed.