On Nov. 8 defendant Frank Elliott appeared for his first day in court at the Fourth Municipal District Courthouse in Maywood for the alleged burning of his own property in Oak Park, according to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office.
Elliott, 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.
Gay bar Velvet Rope Ultra Lounge, 728 Lake St., was destroyed in a fire on June 2, 2012. No one was hurt in the 2012 fire, which did damage to Velvet Lounge and neighboring businesses.
Elliott 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 continues preliminary hearings Dec. 6 at the Maywood courthouse.