DuPage and Kane County Court Case Week In Review: Jenna Jameson Loses a Round

DUPAGE:
Elmhurst:
The City of Elmhurst is expected to formally file by mid-October a motion seeking the dismissal of a lawsuit alleging its negligence caused flooding of residents' homes. Attorneys for the city and resident Alexander Arezina appeared in court on Sept. 19 when the judge set a filing schedule that will culminate with a Dec. 8 hearing on the city's attempt to have the case thrown out. Arezin sued Elmhurst in June claiming water backups into his home during a pair of 2010 storms were caused by a faulty city sewer system. The city is also facing a lawsuit filed by the Illinois Attorney General relating to sewer problems and overflows.

In another Elmhurst-related case, a man accused of stealing thousands of dollars from Messiah Lutheran Church wants to be placed in a program for defendants with mental health issues. During a Sept. 19 court appearance, Robert Drefs, 54, asked to entered into DuPage County's Mental Illness Court Alternative program. Drefs was ordered to undergo a psychological assessment in June at the request of his attorney. Drefs is accused of forging $32,000 worth of checks from the church. He has pleaded not guilty and returns to court Oct. 21 for an update on the status of his MICAP application.

Glen Ellyn:
A woman once called a "career thief" by DuPage County prosecutors has asked to be placed in the county's drug court. Anne Strezewski was indicted in July on charges that include bank fraud, theft, forgery and burglary relating to incidents in May and June. She is accused of lying to her bank about a stolen debit card to get $1,400 in reimbursement for what she claimed were unauthorized purchases. Strezewski is also accused of stealing catalytic converters off vehicles in Wheaton and breaking into a home in June. During a Sept. 19 court appearance, Strezewski indicated she wanted to apply for drug court. The judge ordered a criminal history report and set the case for an Oct. 27 hearing.

Naperville:
Attorneys for adult film star Jenna Jameson lost a round in court Sept. 20 when a judge denied their motion to disqualify the lawyer representing movie theaters suing Jameson over canceled appearances early this year. Ted Bulthaup, who runs Hollywood Blvd. and Hollywood Palms theaters, filed suit in May seeking financial damages again Jameson on claims she bailed on a pair of local meet-and-greets to instead attend a celebrity birthday party. Since then, Jameson's attorneys have filed a motion to dismiss the case and also wanted Bulthaup's lawyers removed because the attempted to "blackmail" Jameson into paying $50,000. The judge has schedule a Nov. 16 hearing on the dismissal request.

KANE:
St. Charles:
Already stretched out over several court dates, the hearing to determine whether statements made by Cathleen Koch in her aggravated battery to a child case has not been continued until early next year. Koch is accused of lying to police investigating the severe beating her daughter received inside a St. Charles motel last year. James Cooper, who was described as Koch's boyfriend, is accused of injuring the young girl. Koch has contended she is a victim of Cooper's domestic violence and that police coerced her into talking without reading her rights to her. So far, prosecutors have called police officers to testify and have played portions of recording statements she made. Koch returns to court for a status hearing on Sept. 29, but arguments about suppressing her statements will not occur until Jan. 3, records show.