Chicago Injury Lawyer Blog

A longtime Chicago Ridge village secretary and mother of three has been accused of using alcohol and marijuana to manipulate teenagers into engaging in sexual activity with her. The woman, Cathleen M. Miller, is accused of sexually molesting four of her daughter’s 14 and 15 year old male friends. According to reports, the alleged molestation took place in Miller’s home at 5813 W. 109th St. between February and June of this year. She now faces three counts of criminal sexual assault and one count of criminal sexual abuse.

The alleged sexual abuse reportedly came to light when one of the boys posted an apology to Miller’s daughter on Facebook. The young teen’s parents reportedly saw the posting and went to the police. Miller has been barred from contact with her 14 year old daughter because the girl allegedly witnessed some of the alleged acts of sexual abuse. Miller’s bail has been set at $900,000.00 by the Circuit Court of Cook County’s 5th District in Bridgeview, IL. Miller had reportedly recently separated from her husband claiming she suffered a long history of physical and emotional abuse. Miller’s sister has taken custody of her children as the Illinois DCFS investigates the sexual abuse allegations.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse you should contact an experienced trial lawyer to protect your rights. The Klest Law Firm offers free consultations to victims of sexual abuse. Attorney Joseph G. Klest helped draft the current statute of limitations contained in the Childhood Sexual Abuse Act (CSAA). To speak with attorney Klest, please click here.

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The Chicago high school band teacher is currently serving 20 years in state prison after pleading guilty to multiple counts of sexual abuse in 2006. The teacher, Robert Sperlik, taught in the Berwyn school district for nearly twenty years. The instances of sexual abuse reportedly occurred between 1998 and 2003 and included 20 separate victims. The underlying instances of sexual abuse include allegations that Sperlik had used duct tape to bind one victim in a chair while he molested her. Another victim was reportedly gagged with a rag in the band classroom. A recent civil lawsuit alleged that the principal knew of allegations against Sperlik but continued to expose him to children. The principal had previously been acquitted of misdemeanor charges for failing to report the abuse.

The circumstances surrounding Sperlik's conviction should serve as a warning to Chicago area institutions to take reports of abuse very seriously. If you or a loved one have been the victim of sexual abuse, you should contact an attorney to investigate your case and protect your rights. The Klest Law Firm has over twenty eight years of experience handling sexual abuse claims in Illinois. To speak with an experienced civil sexual abuse attorney, please click here.

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Former NHL star and one-time Chicago Blackhawk winger Theoren Fleury has recently come forward revealing that he was sexually abused by a junior hockey coach as a minor. Fluery, who spent time with the Flames, Avalanche, Rangers and Blackhawks penned an autobiography in late 2009 detailing the sexual abuse that he suffered. The alleged abuser, registered Canadien sex offender Graham James, was previously convicted of molesting fellow former NHL player Sheldon Kennedy in 1997. Canadien news interests reported earlier this month that James received a pardon in 2007 relative to that conviction. A Canadien pardon has the effect of restricting access to a criminal record. As such, information related to James’s criminal conviction would be unavailable to any future potential employers, including junior hockey programs.

Fleury detailed the acts of childhood sexual abuse that he suffered in a 2009 autobiography entitled “Playing with Fire.” In that novel, Fleury described how years of sexual abuse left him depressed and suicidal. Fleury also claimed that the sexual abuse he endured lead to adult problems with alcohol, drugs, and gambling. Fleury is now an advocate for sexual abuse victims after the outpour of support that he received following the release of his book. He sees the recent news break regarding the pardon of James as an opportunity for childhood sexual abuse victims advocates to pressure the Canadien government to change their approach to sexual abuse.

Sexual abuse victims are often empowered through exposure. The story of Theo Fleury as an abuse victim is far too common however his ability to overcome the horrors he suffered and strive to protect future victims is inspiring. If you have been the victim of childhood sexual abuse and would like to speak with an attorney, please click here.

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A Chicago area doctor is facing numerous allegations of sexual abuse as several former patients have come forward claiming that they were raped or otherwise abused. The doctor, Bruce Smith, is originally from New York and had completed a stint in the Army and attended the University of Hartford prior to his attending Loyola University in Chicago. He performed his residency at Mt. Sinai Hospital and began working at the South Side’s Kennedy Medical Service Corp. shortly thereafter. Dr. Smith subsequently spent time working at Michael Reese Hospital before launching his own practice called Cameo Women’s Healthcare.

The first sexual abuse allegation against Smith occurred in May of 2000 while Smith was working at Kennedy Medical Service Corp. During that time period one of Smith’s patients, 19 year old Tameka Stokes, claims that she was raped while receiving a pelvic exam. In total seven women came forward alleging either rape or sexual misconduct against Smith before any action was taken by law enforcement or the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Smith’s medical license was suspended in October of 2009 for a minimum period of nine months. The Cook County States Attorneys Office had previously reviewed the rape allegations and declined to press charges. Several of those earlier victims have been recently contacted by detectives.

Illinios law recognizes sexual exploitation in the doctor-patient relationship. If you have been sexually abused by a doctor, you should contact a personal injury attorney to investigate the facts surrounding the abuse. Chicago sexual abuse lawyer Joseph G. Klest has over twenty eight years of experience handling sexual abuse claims in Illinois. To contact the Klest Law Firm please click here.

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An Antioch, IL, daycare owner was charged with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse last Friday at a Lake County courthouse. Michael Moskowitz, a 49 year-old resident of 1010 W. Osmond Ave., was taken into custody on allegations that he had sexually abused an 8 year-old family member. Moskowitz had operated a licensed in home day care center in north suburban Antioch since 2006. The center’s license has been suspended by the Department of Children and Family Services (“DCFS”) as the police are investigating the sexual abuse allegation. The DCFS office has also removed six children that lived with Moskowitz at his Antioch home.

The aggravated criminal sexual assault charges facing Moskowitz are Class 2 felonies carrying up to seven years in prison. His bond has been set at $50,000.00.

Sexual abuse victims can suffer lasting emotional, mental, and physical injuries. An experienced Chicago trial attorney can assist an abuse victim in bringing a claim against his or her abuser. If you have been the victim of sexual abuse or would otherwise like to speak to an attorney, please click here.

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A Chicago man was charged yesterday with kidnapping a Hyde Park kindergartner following an incident at 5335 S. Kenwood Ave on the city’s South Side. According to reports, 67 year-old William Bledsoe of the 7600 block of South Honore St. allegedly detained a young boy for several hours last Tuesday. The boy was allegedly detained between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. during the school day according to a Chicago Public Schools spokeswoman. The boy is reportedly a student at Murray Language Academy. He was taken to the University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital following the incident.

Police are now investigating whether Bledsoe, an employee of the Jewels Bus Company in the Roseland neighborhood, sexually assaulted the young boy while he was being held against his will. Bledsoe has yet to be charged with sexual assault. The bus was towed and taken as evidence in an ongoing investigation by the Chicago Police Special Investigations Unit. For more information on the incident follow this link.

If the young boy was sexually abused, he may have civil claims against both the bus driver and also the institutions responsible for his employment. The Klest Law Firm has over twenty nine years of experience advocating on behalf of childhood sexual abuse victims in the State of Illinois. If you have any questions regarding sexual abuse victims’ rights or would otherwise like to speak to an attorney, please click here.

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A 26 year old Libertyville, IL, therapist from Kids Hope United in Lake Villa, IL, has been charged with criminal sexual assault following allegations of inappropriate contact with a 14 year old patient. Cori Rivelli, of the 1800 block of Milwaukee Ave., is being detained in a Lake County Jail facing a $200,000 bond. Reports indicate that Rivelli allegedly engaged in sexual intercourse with a patient at Kids Hope on more than one occasion over the summer. These encounters allegedly occurred at Rivelli’s Libertyville apartment while she was transporting the boy from the Kids Hope residential facility to see his parents in Peoria, IL.

The allegations reportedly surfaced after a staff worker overheard the boy mentioning details of the sexual relationship to another resident. There are also reports that Rivelli had revealed details about the inappropriate behavior to a co-worker. Rivelli has been placed on administrative leave from the facility.

The sexual abuse victim may have claims against both his abuser and the facility where he was staying. Chicago attorney Joesph G. Klest has over twenty nine years of experience handling sexual abuse claims. As a victim’s rights advocate, attorney Joseph G. Klest understands the often sensitive and emotional nature of sexual abuse cases. Additionally, attorney Klest helped co-author the current statute of limitations in childhood sexual abuse cases and has argued the issue in front of the Illinois Supreme Court. If you have any questions, or would like to contact attorney Klest, please click here.

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A far north side elementary school principal has been charged with criminal sexual abuse as a result of his inappropriate contact with an 11 year-old student. According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Daniel R. Pirozzi, of the 39000 block of North Green Bay Rd. Apt. #2, in Beach Park, IL, has been charged with one count of criminal sexual abuse – a Class 2 felony punishable by up to seven years in prison. He is the principal at Biblical Baptist Church Academy in Beach Park, IL. The sexual abuse allegations came to light last weekend when members of the girl’s family contacted the Sheriff’s Office. The elementary school girl told investigators that Pirozzi would conduct secret meetings with her in his office and in the church. During these meetings, Pirozzi would allegedly hug and kiss the victim and, on at least one occasion, fondle her breasts.

Pirozzo has been the principal of the academy for the last three years where he oversees children ranging from kindergarten through 12th grade. He has reportedly admitted in a statement to the police that his involvement with the victim had gone too far. Pirozzo remains in Lake County jail facing an Appril13th court date. Police are urging parents of children at the academy to speak with their children regarding any contact with Pirozzo. Parents are asked to call the Criminal Investigations Division at (847) 377-4250 if they believe their child may have been a victim.

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An Elgin, IL, pastor has been found guilty on two counts of battery for beating a teenage girl with a piece of crown molding during weekly ‘counseling’ sessions. Rev. Daryl Bujak, formerly of the First Missionary Baptist Church in Elgin, was sentenced to twelve months of supervision, ordered to perform 80 hours of community service, and handed a $350 fine for his conduct. According to reports, Bujak was approached by the parents of the girl in March 2005 when the girl began making allegations of sexual abuse against her stepfather. Neither Bujak nor the girl’s mother believed those allegations to be true. Thereafter the pastor began a series of weekly meetings with the girl in which he would spank her 15 to 25 times depending on how she had behaved the previous week (as reported to the pastor by the girl’s mother). Bujak was found not guilty of violating a state law that requires clergy members to report allegations of sexual abuse. According to reports, Bujak told the girl that he was a former police officer who had dealt with sexual abuse cases before and that he did not have to report the alleged abuse because ‘nothing had really gone on.’ Bujak claims that the parents of the girl had given him permission to incorporate corporal punishment as part of the counseling.

The counseling sessions ceased around October of 2005 when stepfather Matthew Resh of Ingleside, IL , was charged with sexually abusing the girl. Resh is awaiting trial in McHenry County where he faces five counts of predatory criminal sexual assault. According to church treasurer Robert Steele, Bujak resigned in August of 2008 for reasons reportedly unrelated to the battery.

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Former priest and Loyola University Chicago professor John Powell has been accused of sexual abuse in connection with a religious retreat held in the late sixties. The November lawsuit represents the third sexual abuse allegation levied against Powell since 2003. The suit also names the Chicago Province of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) as a defendant claiming that the organization was aware of several sexual abuse allegations against Powell and did nothing. In addition to his work as a professor and priest, Powell is also a best-selling religious author having penned publications such as “Fully Human” and “Fully Alive”.

The recent civil lawsuit, filed by a Jane Doe plaintiff, alleges abuse by Powell during a 1967 religious retreat held in West Palm Beach Florida. The plaintiff claims that Powell held ‘private counseling sessions’ over the course of the retreat during which he forced the plaintiff to kiss him and forced the plaintiff to undress. The lawsuit alleged negligence and fraud against the Jesuits claiming that the abuse suffered by the Jane Doe victim could have been prevented had the Jesuits acted on prior allegations against Powell.

The allegations follow a 2006 lawsuit alleging that Powell sexually abused four other girls during similar counseling sessions. The 2006 lawsuit, which is still pending, claims that both Loyola administrators and Jesuit leaders actively ignored reports regarding Powell’s inappropriate conduct. Reacting to the recent lawsuits, Barbara Blaine of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP) cited the Jesuits as the worst in the country in terms of concealing abuse. Powell has never been criminally charged in relation to the civil sexual abuse allegations and is currently in poor health requiring 24-hour care.

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