Gurnee lawyer makes pleads guilty in drug case

A Gurnee attorney accused of possession of cocaine was placed on probation for 18 months Tuesday after pleading guilty to a reduced charge.

Peter Kalagis, 47, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor attempted possession of a controlled substance during a hearing before Lake County Associate Judge Christopher Stride.

Assistant State's Attorney Danielle Pascucci said Kalagis, of the 700 block of Cascade Way, was stopped by Lindenhurst police on May 24, 2010 after an officer saw him driving a vehicle with two different license plates.

A computer check showed Kalagis had a suspended driver's license, so he was taken into custody and the vehicle was towed.

While in the police impound, police found 1.3 grams of cocaine and a rolled-up dollar bill in a cigarette pack inside the vehicle.

Kalagis was originally charged with felony possession of a controlled substance, but Pascucci said she agreed to reduce the charge in exchange for Kalagis' guilty plea.

Stride also ordered Kalagis to forfeit the 2005 Nissan Armada he was driving at the time of his arrest, fined him $500 and said Kalagis must perform 150 hours of community service.

Kalagis is also required to undergo a substance abuse evaluation as part of his sentence.

Scott Renfroe, a spokesman for the Illinois Attorney Registration and Discipline Commission in Chicago, said Kalagis is required to report his conviction to that agency.

Renfroe said the ARDC will review the facts and circumstances of the case and decide if it is necessary to file a formal complaint against Kalagis.

Possible consequences of the process include a suspension or revocation of Kalagis' license to practice law or some form of substance abuse counseling, Renfroe said.