Former cop faces contempt charge for failing to pay

A former McHenry County police officer who served a two-year prison sentence for his part in an off-duty bar brawl that cost him his law enforcement career could soon find himself back behind bars.

A judge issued a court order Friday demanding Brian Quilici appear before her June 6 to explain why he should not be held in contempt for failing to pay thousands of dollars in restitution to a man he severely beat during the 2005 fracas outside a Fox Lake tavern.

Quilici, 36, had been scheduled to appear in court Friday to pay the restitution but failed to show up or notify the court that he would be absent.

The McHenry County state's attorney's office said Quilici, who was living in Lisle prior to going to prison, owes about $27,000 in restitution and court costs he was ordered to pay after a jury convicted him in 2006 of aggravated battery, mob action, official misconduct and obstructing justice.

The charges stemmed from a February 2005 altercation outside KC's Cabin in Fox Lake in which Quilici, at the time a Richmond police officer, and two other former police officers were accused of handcuffing and beating a Wisconsin man after a dispute inside the bar.

Witnesses said Quilici repeatedly kicked the man in the face after he had been handcuffed and rendered defenseless.

At the request of county prosecutors Friday, Judge Sharon Prather ordered that $12,500 in bond money Quilici posted before trial be turned over toward the restitution and other costs he still owes.

"That money is just sitting there, so I don't see any reason why it shouldn't go to the victim," said Nichole Owens, criminal chief for the McHenry County state's attorney.

Efforts to reach Quilici for comment were unsuccessful.