La Grange Cops Blamed For Dropped Drug Cases

LA GRANGE, IL – Cook County prosecutors are blaming La Grange police for three dropped felony drug cases that resulted from a raid last fall.

The raid occurred after neighbors drew the police's attention to the house at 812 S. Catherine Ave. A police report stated the house was the site of drug parties and prostitution.

In response to Patch's inquiry on Monday, the Cook County state's attorney's office pointed the finger at La Grange police for the dismissed charges against the then-homeowner, Paul Nutting, 52, as well as Adrian R. Bauer, 22, of Chicago, and Nicole V. Schmidt, 39, of Midlothian.

"The cases were set for a preliminary hearing, and the arresting officer did not appear in court," Tandra Simonton, the office's spokesperson, said in an email. "We were unable to move forward with prosecution, and by order of the court, the cases were dismissed."

Meanwhile, the case involving 32-year-old Courtney M. Palutsis of Chicago is pending, Simonton said.

When asked about the dropped cases late last week, Village Manager Jack Knight, who is the police department's spokesperson, acknowledged the dismissed charges in three of the four cases. But he declined to divulge the reason.

In a statement Monday to WGN, La Grange Police Chief Timothy Griffin defended the police department. He told the TV station that prosecutors were informed that the officer was unable to attend the court hearing because of planned days off under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

"Generally, cases are continued under these circumstances," the chief said in a statement to WGN. "The La Grange Police Department is currently working with the State Attorney’s Office on alternative ways to prosecute the case."

In an interview with Patch on Tuesday, Griffin said the police department is still reviewing its options to continue the cases. He said the situation is not indicative of the ties between local police and county prosecutors.

"We have a great relationship with the state's attorney's office," the chief said.

Patch asked Griffin whether the village could have assigned other officers who took part in the raid to attend the court hearing in place of the officer on leave. The chief said the officer in question had specific knowledge about the cases.

Paul Rutz, who lives near the Catherine Avenue house, said neighbors started calling the police about it two years ago.

The police, Rutz said, gave little attention to the house until last Mother's Day. That was when a woman addicted to drugs walked out of the house, saying she was being physically abused, he said.

"She's out there telling us all this, the police all this. Nothing happened," Rutz said.

Over the summer, residents in 38 nearby houses signed a petition pleading for the police to take action, Rutz said.

The raid occurred less than two months after the petition.

Rutz expressed frustration with the police department.

"I give them an F. They failed at every single point," Rutz said.

Griffin said his department has worked with residents.

"There are definitely concerns with this house, and the police department is giving it a great deal of attention," the chief said.

Nutting no longer has possession of the house because of a foreclosure.

The new owner, a limited liability company, is trying to evict "unknown occupants." Another court hearing on the eviction is set for next week.

In December, Patch wrote a story based on the police report, which it obtained through a public records request.

Police calls to the house have continued since October's raid.