The Tribune first reported in May 2014 that the Cook County state’s attorney’s office was looking into a land deal that netted Brown and her husband, Benton Cook III, tens of thousands of dollars with no money down. The husband got a North Lawndale building for free from Patel’s brother, Narendra, a west suburban businessman and longtime campaign donor to Brown who is now deceased. Brown quickly became co-owner, and her company sold the parcel for $100,000 to a Frankfort real estate developer who had long had his eye on it.