Skooter’s, Wardog & Brother Sued Over Alleged Closing Time Beating

JOLIET, IL — Troubled Shorewood watering hole Skooter’s Roadhouse, one of its bouncers and the bouncer’s brother have been sued by a Plainfield man police said was brutally beaten after closing time last year.

Nate Stanick filed his lawsuit against Skooter’s, Michael “Wardog” Reid and Nicholas Ventsias in Will County court.

Reid, a 22-year-old mixed martial arts fighter, was working as a bouncer at Skooter’s and Ventsias, whom police said is either his half brother or stepbrother, was hanging out at the bar in February, according to both the cops and the lawsuit.

Ventsias was intoxicated, and he and Stanick “engaged in a verbal exchange outside the bar,” the lawsuit said.

Stanick “retreated from the altercation and got into his friend’s vehicle,” the lawsuit said, then headed to the Burger King down Jefferson Street from Skooter’s. Reid and Ventsias followed Stanick and his friend, both police and the lawsuit said, and attacked them outside the Burger King.

Stanick’s friend, who was also beaten, was identified in court papers as Dominick Foley. Reid was charged with stealing Foley’s cash.

Police said Stanick was beaten so badly that it seemed he might die. Reid and Ventsias left him unconscious, according to the lawsuit.

Reid and Ventsias were jailed on charges of aggravated battery and mob action. Reid was also charged with robbery.

Reid was released from jail on bond in July. His bond had been reduced from $1 million to $500,000. Ventsias was released in November. His bond had been reduced from $750,000 to $375,000, and then knocked down to $50,000.

The lawsuit is just the latest of in a long line of scandals to beset Skooter’s. The country and western themed bar has just come off a four day shutdown ordered by the village for improperly offering drink specials. Prior to that, a customer ringing in 2016 threw a bottle at a bartender’s head to get his attention. A Shorewood woman was charged with a barroom stabbing at Skooter’s. A California ice cream man hit a cop at Skooter’s. A Blue Island man allegedly punched a bar bouncer, ran around the neighborhood and then put on a performance at the police station. And even Skooter’s owner supposedly got knocked around by an unruly customer.