Jailed Aurora gymnastics instructor faces new charges of perjury
The jailed Aurora gymnastics coach accused of fondling former students will have to wait until after the holidays to find out whether he'll be allowed to post bond, but new perjury charges hanging over his head likely won't help his cause.
Michael Cardamone appeared Monday before DuPage County Circuit Judge Blanche Hill Fawell seeking a new bond hearing on his molestation charge. The judge said her busy preholiday court schedule prevented her from being able to hear arguments immediately. She scheduled the hearing at 10 a.m. Jan. 2 instead.
The 32-year-old Cardamone has been behind bars at the DuPage County jail in Wheaton despite an appeals court ruling that he be given a new trial on the molestation charges because the previous judge allowed too much "uncharged" evidence.
Cardamone received a 20-year sentence in 2005 on the molestation charge.
A grand jury handed up perjury indictments Thursday, but those charges weren't mentioned during Monday's brief appearance. Cardamone's attorney, Joseph Laraia, said he hadn't seen the indictments. The charges stem from a harassment conviction in which Cardamone falsely reported seeing the mother of one of his accusers drive drunk after a court appearance while out on bond concerning the initial charge. He testified he didn't know who the woman was when he made the phone call to police. Cardamone served a three-year prison sentence for the harassment conviction concurrently with his sentence on the molestation conviction.
Authorities said the basis for the grand jury indictments came from Cardamone's wife, Elizabeth, who told prosecutors her husband lied about not knowing who was driving the car in question.
DuPage County State's Attorney Joseph Birkett refused to comment about the new charges uncovered by the Daily Herald, saying the indictments were supposed to be sealed from public view.
Michael Cardamone filed for divorce from his wife in September, claiming mental cruelty and irreconcilable differences, and is seeking custody of their two young sons, according to court papers. The couple were married in Glen Ellyn in 2000.
Elizabeth Cardamone was in court Monday and said she continues to support her husband despite the divorce proceedings.
"While Michael and I have decided to part ways we continue to have mutual respect for one another," said Elizabeth Cardamone. "It should be known due to Michael's incarceration his power of attorney filed for divorce on his behalf. According to Michael he was unaware of the verbiage used until several weeks later."
Michael Cardamone's sister, Alysha Millard, has power of attorney for her brother and said the language in the divorce papers was standard legal terminology. "This situation has destroyed many lives and, unfortunately, their marriage is just one more aspect," said Millard. "But Elizabeth still stands behind Michael's innocence of the alleged crimes he is awaiting a new trial for."
Millard is currently caring for the couple's children. She said Elizabeth Cardamone met with DuPage County prosecutors only after she was promised help getting back custody of her sons.
Michael Cardamone's family said it believes he should be allowed to post bond while he awaits a new trial.
"The appeals court and supreme court ruled that Michael had an unfair trial," Millard said. "All we are asking is that Michael receive fairness in this county and that a thorough investigation be done, which we are confident would lead to him being cleared."
Michael Cardamone was convicted in 2005 of fondling seven girls under his tutelage at his family's Aurora gym. The jury acquitted him of charges involving seven other girls.
In March, an appellate court overturned Cardamone's conviction and ordered a new trial. Judge Michael Burke erred in allowing too much evidence - up to 257 incidents - of uncharged alleged sexual conduct with the girls.