'Duck' Dickinson Hires Joliet Criminal Defense Lawyer

Joliet IL

28 March, 2022

1:51 PM

Description

JOLIET, IL — Several days after being charged with attempted obstruction of justice, former Joliet City Council member Don "Duck" Dickinson has chosen his criminal defense attorney. Attorney Frank Andreano of the Andreano Law Office in downtown Joliet has filed his appearance on behalf of the former Joliet City Council member, who abruptly resigned from office in November 2020. According to his social media profile, Andreano has been in private practice since 1993. "Frank is the lawyer of choice to handle the most challenging and consequential legal issues," Andreano's LinkedIn profile proclaims. "His clients include individuals as well as Fortune 500 companies. He is among a select group in the legal profession who corporations often turn to when faced with serious, complex litigation, requiring lengthy trial schedules." In early March, special prosecutor Bill Elward charged the 61-year-old Dickinson with a misdemeanor criminal offense of attempted obstruction of justice, following a lengthy investigation by the Illinois State Police. The criminal complaint against Dickinson states that on Nov. 2, 2020, Dickinson knowingly furnished false information to Joliet Deputy Police Chief Marc Reid "as to the conduct of Robert O'Dekirk, in that he related to the officer that Robert O'Dekirk had threatened the defendant." At the end of the Joliet City Council meeting on Nov. 2, 2020, Dickinson, 61, read from a prepared statement. Dickinson had accused the Joliet mayor of blackmailing him over nude photos that Dickinson had taken of himself and apparently sent to other people. "Over the last six months, I have been put in a position that has been very uncomfortable for me with my role on the Council. This has affected all the decisions that I need to make to help the city of Joliet move forward," Dickinson declared during the meeting. "I feel I have been harassed, badgered, tormented and now blackmailed unfairly. This is over a personal relationship that I had a few years ago with another consenting adult. Photos were sent between us, for us and for us only." Dickinson is scheduled to make his first appearance at the Will County Courthouse on April 11. His hearing will take place in Courtroom 303.