Algonquin man denies charges he raped housekeeper

The lawyer for an Algonquin man accused of raping his housekeeper in October said his client will vigorously fight the allegations and expects an eventual acquittal.

Andrew Spanier, 56, formally pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges of aggravated criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual assault and criminal sexual abuse stemming from the incident in which police say he attacked the 43-year-old Crystal Lake woman in his home.

"I think once all the evidence comes out and we have a trial, he will be vindicated," Spanier attorney Nicholas Lagatutta said later Tuesday.

Algonquin police arrested Spanier, of the 0-100 block of Hartford Court, last month after an investigation into the woman's claims he assaulted her Oct. 9 while she was working in his residence. Court documents say the woman suffered bruising in the alleged attack.

County prosecutors last week filed court papers asking a judge to order that Spanier give Algonquin police samples of saliva and inner cheek cells for DNA analysis. The samples, documents state, will be forwarded to an Illinois State Police crime lab for a DNA comparison with clothing worn by Spanier's accuser the day of the incident.

Lagatutta said he does not expect his client to object to the request.

Spanier, who is free on a $100,000 bond, could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted of all charges. He is scheduled to return to court Feb. 9 for a pretrial status hearing.

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=336959">Algonquin man charged with raping housekeeper <span class="date">[11/16/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>