Lawyer Screws Up Jacob Wieclaw's Civil Lawsuit Defense

JOLIET, IL - In recent years, there was substantial news media coverage about the criminal case of Jacob Wieclaw. He was the four-year starter at Lincoln-Way Central who later kicked a football over the goal posts at the University of Miami. But in June 2015, Wieclaw was arrested and put in the Will County Jail, for just one day. The Will County State's Attorney's Office charged the Lincoln-Way School District employee with criminal sexual assault involving an underage student. At the time of the offense, Wieclaw was working with a Lincoln-Way West High School physical education class.

Wieclaw was 24 years old and the girl was 16, according to the Illinois State Police website for registered sex offenders. Last August, Wieclaw pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of aggravated sexual abuse, a Class 2 felony. Will County Judge David Carlson sentenced Wieclaw to spend the next four years on probation. He was obligated to submit his DNA into a national law enforcement database for convicted sexual offenders. He was also mandated to register as a sexual offender. State Police list the New Lenox resident as being a sexual predator.

However, the criminal case was only one aspect of Wieclaw's troubles with Will County's judicial system. He also faced a civil lawsuit brought forward by the victim. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Jane Doe by the Chicago attorney Thomas Boleky of the law firm Beutel Hurst Boleky.

The lawsuit turned out badly for Wieclaw and his private attorney, John E. Partelow, of Chicago. Last September, Will County Judge Richard Rossi issued a $50,000 default judgment against the former Lincoln-Way football star. The judge was sick and tired of the fact that Wieclaw and his attorney had missed yet another court appearance at the Will County Courthouse.

"The court having previously considered the damages suffered by plaintiff through submission of an affidavit, finds that the plaintiff's damages have been proven to the amount of $50,000, and judgment is entered against defendant in the amount of $50,000," the judge stated.

Now seven months later, Wieclaw has yet to pony up the $50,000 that the court has ordered him to pay. Wieclaw's lawyer, Partelow, later filed a motion asking Judge Rossi to vacate the default judgment.

"The default judgment was entered because Defendant's counsel failed to appear because he misdiaried the date," Partelow's motion argued. "Failure to appear was not due to neglect or lack of diligence of defendant or defendant's counsel."

Judge Rossi ultimately rejected the motion. Now, the $50,000 judgment remains on appeal. The Illinois Appellate Court has yet to issue a ruling on the case.

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Photo of Jacob Wieclaw via Illinois State Police