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Velvet Rope owner charged in arson
2013-11-02
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This article shared 4359 times since Sat Nov 2, 2013
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Frank Elliot, 26, was arrested by Oak Park police Nov. 1 in connection with a fire that destroyed his gay bar Velvet Rope Ultra Lounge, 728 Lake St., on June 2, 2012. The fire was suspicious from the start, with Elliott alleging he was targeted in a hate crime, but other concerned it may have been motivated by an insurance claim.
Elliot was arrested at his new business, Bonsai Bar, 3503 N. Halsted in Chicago.
No one was hurt in the 2012 fire, which did damage to Velvet Lounge and neighboring businesses.
Oak Park Police Chief Rick Tanksley, in thanking local law enforcement and the state fire marshall, 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."
Elliot is awaiting a bond hearing. He could face 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. |
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This article shared 4359 times since Sat Nov 2, 2013
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