Businessman awaits verdict on charges he had dealership torched

A McHenry businessman accused of paying an ex-employee to torch his used car dealership will have to wait until next month to learn whether he will be found guilty of arson, fraud and conspiracy charges.

A judge Friday listened to closing arguments in the case of John T. Krawec and plans to issue a verdict Nov. 20.

Krawec, 45, of McHenry, could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted of all charges stemming from an April 24, 2006, fire that gutted his All Truck Stop dealership, 3021 W. Route 120, and an apartment above it.

County prosecutors say Krawec's business was losing money while dealing with mounting pressure from creditors when he decided to burn it down in hopes of collecting about $524,000 in insurance.

"The defendant was bouncing checks, he was in debt and his cars were about to be repossessed," Assistant McHenry County State's Attorney Philip Hiscock said in his closing argument.

The key witness against Krawec was his onetime employee, Philip Brakefield, who testified that his former boss offered him more than $50,000 to burn down the business.

Krawec's defense did not dispute that Brakefield set the blaze, but argued he did it on his own because he was angry Krawec had evicted him from a residence he was renting.

"Brakefield is not to be believed," defense attorney Michael Johnson said, claiming that Brakefield contradicted himself numerous times on the witness stand. "As much as he tries, he forgets which lies he tells."

Brakefield was never charged because he agreed to cooperate with authorities.