COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — A man is accused of threatening to have a top official at a Lakeview medical clinic killed by a street gang member over an ongoing dispute about a vandalized car in the clinic's parking lot.
Lazane Clark, 53, appeared in court Thursday, accused of aggravated intimidation of a top official of the Reproductive Genetics Institute.
Clark threatened to have the official killed — and even claimed to have shot a hole in the man's BMW, prosecutors said.
The charges capped a three-year-old dispute over who would pay for damage done to Clark's car, which was vandalized while parked in the clinic's lot, Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Erin Antonietti said in court Thursday.
Clark first met the victim when Clark rented a parking space in the lot next to the clinic at 2825 N. Halsted St. in Lakeview, Antonietti said.
After the vandalism, Clark was told to file a police report and contact his insurance agency. But instead, Clark demanded the official pay him $4,700, Antonietti said.
Fearing for his life, the official agreed, Antonietti said. He began paying Clark in installments. He also allowed Clark to park for free in the lot.
In late January, Clark collected the final payment, said Antonietti. But, she said, he wanted more.
Clark punched a security guard at the property and again threatened the official, warning him that he would call a relative, a "Black Disciples street gang member" and have him killed, prosecutors said.
The official made Clark sign a document clearing him of liability for the damages to Clark's car, prosecutors said.
Soon after that, Clark demanded money for new car speakers. And, later, he called the clinic official and claimed he had shot a hole in his BMW, prosecutors said. The official's car had a hole in the side, but it turned out to be a dent, not a bullet hole.
Clark, of the 2900 block of North Halsted Street, was arrested and charged with trespassing at the clinic, criminal damage to property and aggravated intimidation.
He was ordered held on $450,000 bail Thursday during a brief bond hearing.
According to an attorney representing Clark, he has worked as a private contractor for the city of Chicago and has served in the military.
