Sycamore attorney faces prostitution charges

SYCAMORE – Police say a Sycamore attorney arrested Tuesday on prostitution charges reportedly had been engaged in that activity for several years.

Reema N. Bajaj, 25, of the 100 block of Penny Lane in Sycamore, turned herself in to the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office about 2:50 p.m. Tuesday, roughly three hours after a warrant was issued charging her with three counts of prostitution.

The three counts stem from two incidents – one Aug. 13 and the other May 10. Bond had been set at $5,000, and Bajaj posted the $500 necessary to be released from jail.

DeKalb Police Lt. Gary Spangler said Bajaj's arrest followed an investigation into an unrelated case where detectives discovered emails sent between Bajaj, a suspect in an unrelated case and a DeKalb man. Spangler said the emails were explicit regarding the arrangements and led to two of the prostitution counts from Aug. 13.

Those counts contend that Bajaj offered to perform a sexual act for $100 – a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail – and that the act was committed within 1,000 feet of a school – a Class 4 felony punishable by up to three years in prison.

Spangler said the reported liaison took place at a residence in the 500 block of East Taylor Street in DeKalb. Prosecutor Julie Trevarthen of the DeKalb County State's Attorney's Office described the location as a high-rise in DeKalb.

Spangler said that until last August, Bajaj routinely, but not exclusively, had engaged in prostitution at that location. He said it had been the home of an individual with whom she had been engaging in that activity with for several years.

Trevarthen said Bajaj admitted to engaging in prostitution before she became a licensed attorney in November, but she denied such activity since that time.

The evidence, Trevarthen said, stated otherwise, as she was charged with one count of prostitution from an incident May 10. In that count, Bajaj reportedly offered to perform a sexual act for $50 – a Class A misdemeanor.

Spangler said the more recent charge also was connected with evidence obtained as part of a different investigation.

According to her website, Bajaj practices law out of the Bajaj Law Offices, 1210 E. State Street, in Sycamore. Her website states she is licensed to practice all types of law and handles cases in DeKalb, Boone, Winnebago, Ogle, Kane, McHenry and DuPage counties.

Trevarthen said the alleged offense will be reported to the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission. According to its website, the ARDC is an administrative agency of the Supreme Court of Illinois, which is charged protecting the integrity of the legal profession through attorney registration, education, investigation, prosecution and remedial action.

Bajaj was at the DeKalb County Courthouse on May 24, when she withdrew her representation of Timothy Brady, a Sycamore man who is charged with child pornography and aggravated criminal sexual assault of a child. Bajaj cited personal matters as her reason for withdrawing from the case, and Sycamore attorney Ciji Calhoun filed an appearance to represent Brady.

Spangler said police found no connections between the reported prostitution activity and Bajaj's clients or her law practice. He said no additional charges were expected, nor does he expect anyone else to be charged in connection with the reported crimes.

Bajaj's next court appearance is set for June 28.