Public Defender Accused Of Sexual Harassment Had Already Been Ordered Into Sexual Harassment Counseling: Filing

Will County Public Defender Frank Astrella — who faces a federal lawsuit over allegations of sexual harassment — had already been ordered to undergo sexual harassment counseling, according to a court filing.

The attorneys for Assistant Public Defenders Gail Bembnister and Kate Flynn, who are suing Astrella, sought records from the Summit Center for Mental Health. The center specializes in “sexual and relationship problems,” among other things.

Will County Chief Judge Richard Schoenstedt withheld the records from Bembnister and Flynn.

“The records that are being withheld are presumed to be those related to Defendant Astrella’s participation in the Will County EAP (Employee Assistant Program) regarding sexual harassment,” a motion to compel the release of the documents said.

Astrella was “ordered to participate in such program in response to (Bembnister’s and Flynn’s) complaints of sexual harassment,” the motion said.

The Will County Employee Assistant Program provides “help” to employees and their families so they can “find their way through personal concerns such as depression, stress, relationship issues, addictions, work life balance, and financial & legal questions,” according to the website for the Will County Governmental League.

Astrella failed to return a call for comment. He has yet to publicly address the allegations of sexual harassment.

Federal Judge Thomas M. Durkin granted the motion to compel the release of the records.

Bembnister and Flynn brought their lawsuit against Astrella nearly a year ago.

Astrella, the Public Defender since September 2008, made “sexually derogatory and inappropriate comments in the workplace,” according to the lawsuit.

Astrella also, “in the presence of” Bembnister, “or at times directed to” her, made sexually suggestive comments about women’s clothing and bodies, and made “lewd and inappropriate comments related to and about sex,” “inquiries into employees’ intimate sexual lives and histories,” and “flirtatious comments to female employees and state’s attorneys,” the suit said.

Astrella also allegedly punished Flynn for getting pregnant by giving her an unfavorable work assignment.

Court records show Astrella currently represents only one defendant, 51-year-old Bruce Gempel of Crest Hill. Gempel was arrested in 2012 and charged with murdering an 89-year-old neighbor, Dorothy Dumyahn.

Astrella had been representing Nightmare on Hickory Street killer Joshua Miner. Astrella started appearing at Miner’s court hearings in February 2013. Four months later, Astrella told Judge Gerald Kinney he was removing himself from the case, according to court records, which give no explanation for his withdrawal. Astrella was replaced by Michael Renzi, a private attorney who also works part-time as a public defender.