Eric Francke, former Lake County deputy sheriff, discharged amid criminal investigation

WAUKEGAN, Ill. (WLS) -- An arbitrator has upheld Lake County Sheriff's decision to discharge Deputy Sheriff Eric Francke, officials said in a statement.

Francke, 33, was placed on administrative leave without pay in April 2013 after Mundelein police notified the Lake County Sheriff's office that he was the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation. In May 2013 he was charged with obstructing justice and solicitation of a sexual act, and was released from custody after posting ten percent of his $10,000 bail, officials said.

Lake County State's Attorney's Office proceeded with a criminal trial, in which he was found not guilty in December 2013. However, he was terminated based on departmental policy violations after an administrative review by the Lake County Sheriff's Office, officials said.

Francke appealed the termination, but the decision was upheld by Arbitrator Robert Perkovick, who concluded that there was a connection between Francke's off-duty misconduct and a legitimate interest of the office, officials said.

Francke had been a deputy with the sheriff's office since September 2008.