A lawsuit has been filed alleging a serious violation of civil rights involving false arrest and reckless disregard for medical needs. On November 21, 2025, David Bettini filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office and several individuals associated with it.
The case revolves around an incident on April 29, 2024, at the DuPage County Courthouse where Bettini claims he was falsely accused and unlawfully arrested by members of the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office. Bettini, who suffers from multiple severe medical conditions including cystic fibrosis and neuropathy, alleges that he was wrongfully detained based on a false report made by Elsie Briley. According to the complaint, Briley accused Bettini of making physical contact and using offensive language after a court hearing did not go as she had hoped. However, video evidence and statements from Bettini’s consulting attorney Harry Smith reportedly contradict these allegations.
Bettini contends that despite having access to exculpatory video evidence and being informed of his medical condition which made aggressive actions physically impossible, Deputy Kelly Pacini authored a false report leading to his arrest. The report allegedly contained numerous inaccuracies including misidentifying relationships between parties involved and ignoring critical evidence. Commander Keltner is also named in the suit for failing to investigate or hold deputies accountable despite receiving formal complaints from Bettini.
The lawsuit seeks damages for violations under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 along with related Illinois tort claims. Bettini is asking for compensatory damages expected to exceed $2 million, punitive damages against individual defendants, declaratory judgment affirming his constitutional rights were violated, and attorney’s fees.
Representing himself pro se, David Bettini filed this complaint without legal counsel but mentioned consultation with attorney Harry Smith during the events in question. The presiding judge is Georgia N. Alexakis with Magistrate Judge Daniel P. McLaughlin also assigned to the case under Case ID: 1:25-cv-14247.
Source: 125cv14247_David_Bettini_v_Duoage_County_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Illinois.pdf
