On Nov. 5, defendant Frank Elliot appeared for his first day in court at the Fourth Municipal District Courthouse in Maywood on charges involving the Oak Park gay bar Velvet Rope Ultra Lounge, according to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office.
Elliot, 26, is facing up to seven years in prison for each of two counts of arson and 15 years for insurance fraud, in addition to fines of $25,000 or more, according to Oak Park Police, for the alleged burning down of his own property in Oak Park.
Velvet Rope Ultra Lounge, 728 Lake St., was destroyed in a fire June 2, 2012. No one was hurt in the fire, which damaged Velvet Rope and neighboring businesses.
Elliot was arrested at his new Chicago business, Bonsai Bar, 3503 N. Halsted St., on Nov. 1.
Oak Park Police Chief Rick Tanksley, in thanking local law enforcement and the state fire marshal, said: “This incident was a troubling one for our community, which prides itself on being open and welcoming to all. A hate crime just didn’t make sense.”
The case was continued to Nov. 8 for a preliminary hearing.