They are now asking U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall to put Nicholas Stella behind bars, alleging he “has a history of violent assaults upon his domestic partner.”
Federal prosecutors allege a Chicago police officer charged last year in a sports gambling case that also led to charges against Casey Urlacher “violently assaulted his girlfriend” Saturday.
They are now asking U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall to put Nicholas Stella behind bars, alleging he “has a history of violent assaults upon his domestic partner.” Stella’s lawyer, Michael Clancy, did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment Thursday.
Stella’s status with the Chicago Police Department is “inactive,” according to Sgt. Rocco Alioto, a CPD spokesman. A hearing on the allegations against Stella is set for Wednesday, court records show.
Stella was among 10 people charged in the gambling case last year. Also among them was Casey Urlacher, mayor of north suburban Mettawa and brother of Chicago Bears great Brian Urlacher. In the final hours of his presidency Tuesday, Donald Trump pardoned Casey Urlacher.
But Stella still faces charges in the case. And Assistant U.S. Attorney Terry Kinney wrote in a filing Thursday that Stella’s girlfriend reported “that he tried to kill her, attempted to strangle her, hit her in the face, tore her blouse and stole her phone so she could not call 911, and then dragged her down the hallway before finally releasing her and fleeing.”
Kinney’s filing indicates the assault took place at a Crowne Plaza hotel. It said a hotel guest called the front desk to report something “horrible” was happening. And though Stella’s girlfriend apparently called 911, Kinney wrote that she has since decided not to pursue charges.
“However, Stella has a history of violence against his domestic partner,” Kinney wrote, adding that she “doubtless fears retribution were she to bring charges.” He also wrote that Stella did not turn himself in even though he knew police were looking for him.
