A Joliet teacher accused of beating his wife to death didn’t know if a judge’s gag order barred him from cooperating with an ongoing Joliet Public Schools District 86 investigation.

On Oct. 18, the attorney for Michael Kazecki, 38, asked Will County Judge Daniel Rippy if the gag order covered both public and private statements made to third parties. Rippy clarified his order was intended to prohibit parties involved in the case solely from speaking with the media.

Kazecki has been charged with murder in the death of his wife, 38-year-old Rebecca Kazecki, who also was a teacher in Joliet. Michael Kazecki allegedly caused head trauma and fractured her skull in a fatal attack Aug. 7.

The attack was the last in a string of beatings carried out over the course of three days by Michael Kazecki against his wife, police have said. Prosecutors said Michael Kazecki was hitting his 11-year-old son when Rebecca Kazecki intervened, and he in turn beat her.

Michael Kazecki’s attorney, Nathaniel Tate, said in an emergency motion Oct. 18 that Michael Kazecki received correspondence from an investigator with District 86 requesting answers as to whether he physically attacked, killed or caused the death of any district employees, including Rebecca Kazecki.

Michael Kazecki reportedly referred in his response to the investigator that Rippy imposed a gag order Sept. 9 based on the “high profile status of this case and prior media coverage,” according to Tate’s motion.

On Oct. 11, district officials reportedly told Michael Kazecki that he cannot justify his refusal to answer their questions because Rippy’s order was “clearly addressed to public statements,” while the district’s questions were being asked as part of a confidential internal investigation of his conduct.

“It is your obligation to find a method by which you can comply with your employer’s investigation,” district officials said.

District 86 spokeswoman Sandy Zalewski said Michael Kazecki still is on paid leave from the district. He has been on paid leave since Aug. 13. He is not allowed to be present on school grounds or at activities without prior authorization from an administrator.

Zalewski said the investigation remains ongoing. She said there have been no discipline issues during Kazecki’s time in the district.

According to the district’s 2018 salary report, Michael Kazecki makes a base salary of $55,668.

Michael Kazecki was released from the Will County jail in August after posting 10 percent of his $2 million bond.