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MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

Maag pleads not guilty, requests speedy trial in solicitation case

Thomas Maag

An attorney representing Thomas Maag in his criminal case for soliciting a prostitute filed a motion asking for a speedy trial.

Michael Reid filed the request for a speedy trial and entered a not guilty plea for Maag on Nov. 6.

Maag, 32, of Highland, was arrested by the Granite City Police Department on Nov. 2 for soliciting a prostitute. Maag is the son of former Illinois Appellate Court Judge Gordon Maag, who unsuccessfully ran for the Illinois Supreme Court in 2004.

Maag is an attorney with the Wendler Law firm in Edwardsville.

His court date is set for 9 a.m. on Dec. 6, at the Granite City satellite court.

Reid also asked Madison County State's Attorney Bill Mudge to disclose what sentence he plans to seek against Maag for the misdemeanor charge.

According to court documents, Reid also wants the prosecutor to disclose a list of all witnesses and their last known address, all of Maag's written and recorded statements, and all written statements of any witnesses or memoranda reporting or summarizing any oral statements of any witnesses.

Reid asks for the substance of any oral statement made by Maag before or after his arrest in response to interrogation that the prosecution intends to offer in evidence at trial, a list of all items seized, access to any books, papers, documents, photographs or places and permission to inspect and copy all information and material which may be favorable to Maag on the issues of guilt or punishment.

Reid wants all the law enforcement officers involved to preserve their rough notes and to indicate the existence of any rough notes.

Granite City Police detective Lori Perkins was working undercover in a sting operation that netted a total of six arrests.

Maag allegedly offered Perkins $100 for sex.

Maag was taken into custody at 9:58 p.m. and later posted $105 bail. His 2004 Chevrolet Impala was impounded.

Reid posted Maag's bail.

According to state statute 725 ILCS 5/110-13 which deals with persons prohibited from furnishing bail, subsection A states, "No attorney at law practicing in this State and no official authorized to admit another to bail or to accept bail shall furnish any part of any security for bail in any criminal action or any proceeding nor shall any such person act as surety for any accused admitted to bail."

The statute is vague when it comes to what, if any, punishment accompanies the statute's violation.

Mudge said he is not going to file charges against Reid. Mudge also said he reported the conduct to the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission.

Reid shares a law office with family attorney Amanda Verett, a plaintiff in a personal injury suit against Pizza Hut.

Verett filed suit against Pizza Hut and Troy Police officer Clarence Jackson alleging she was injured when walking out the door of Pizza Hut on Feb. 12, when she held open the door to allow herself and Jackson to exit.

Jackson has since been dismissed from the case, though at one time Maag successfully convinced a Madison County judge to enter a $311,000 default judgment against the police officer.

Maag's key witness testifying to Verett's injuries was Verett's husband, Matthew Verett, a SIUE nursing student who claimed his wife's injuries were so severe he had to help her brush and wash her hair, fasten her brassiere and button her shirts.

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