Assistant prosecutor cleared in assault

JOLIET -- An assistant Will County state's attorney has been cleared of allegations he sexually assaulted an office secretary this summer.

"Further investigation has determined the charges were unfounded," States Attorney James Glasgow said Wednesday, calling the situation "an unfortunate incident."

On Aug. 15, a 30-year-old woman contacted Joliet police and said she'd met several co-workers after work the previous evening at a downtown bar. After the group returned from another bar in a different area of the city, she and an assistant prosecutor were at the Ottawa Street parking deck around midnight when he reportedly took advantage of her intoxicated state and raped her.

The state's attorney's office requested an attorney from the appellate prosecutor's office work with Joliet detectives on the case to eliminate any potential conflict of interest, while the assistant state's attorney was put on administrative leave during the investigation.

"In addition to the independent investigation, we thought it was necessary to conduct an internal review with another (outside) lawyer and our staff attorneys," spokesman Charles B. Pelkie said. "Both investigations determined no criminal laws were violated."

Pelkie said the attorney who had been the subject of the allegations returned to work several weeks ago. Pelkie was unable to discuss if any apology was issued because the matter was "a personnel issue."

The secretary who made the allegation has reportedly decided to take a leave of absence.

"When and if she makes a determination to return, we want to make certain she comes back to a work environment she feels comfortable in," Pelkie said. "We have offered to assist with counseling and made it clear she'll have the option to be assigned similar duties in another building."

The state's attorney's office is currently reviewing its employee fraternization policies.

"That's not just related to this issue, though obviously it has been part of the discussion," Pelkie said.