Will County Public Defender Still Silent on Sexual Harassment Allegations, Won't Say If He Can Continue Doing Job

Two days after two attorneys accused him of sexual harassment and sued him in federal court, Will County Public Defender Frank Astrella has yet to publicly address the allegations.

Michelle Palaro, the spokeswoman for the public defender’s office, said Thursday Astrella will not discuss the allegations made by Assistant Public Defenders Gail Bembnister and Kate Flynn. Palaro said she would not comment either.

The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office will defend Astrella in the federal sexual harassment case. Palaro declined to comment on whether Astrella can continue to oppose prosecutors from the state’s attorney’s office in Will County court while he is being represented by them in federal court. Charles B. Pelkie, the spokesman for the state’s attorney’s office, also declined to comment.

Court records show Astrella currently represents only one defendant, 50-year-old Bruce Gempel of Crest Hill. Gempel was arrested in 2012 and charged with murdering an 89-year-old neighbor, Dorothy Dumyahn.

Astrella had been representing Nightmare on Hickory Street killer Joshua Miner. Astrella started appearing at Miner’s court hearings in February 2013. Four months later, Astrella told Judge Gerald Kinney he was removing himself from the case, according to court records, which give no explanation for his withdrawal. Astrella was replaced by Michael Renzi, a private attorney who also works part-time as a public defender.

Palaro would not explain why Astrella dropped out of the Nightmare on Hickory Street case.

Miner was found guilty of the double murder and will be sentenced to life in prison.

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