Another incident, right down the street from me. Charges have yet to be filed, even though the incident happened over 3 months ago. Wheels of Justice grind exceedingly slow when the police are involved.
Allegations of second videotaped attack by off-duty Chicago police | Chicago Tribune
Authorities are investigating claims that six off-duty Chicago police officers were captured on video assaulting four men in a bar, the second incident involving taped allegations of violence by off-duty officers to surface in the past week.After the alleged Dec. 15 incident at the Jefferson Tap and Grille, one of the four men required reconstructive surgery for a broken nose and another had broken ribs, said Steven Fine, an attorney for the men.
Of course we don't know the details of what triggered the rumble, but I expect more coverage of the matter soon.
No charges have been filed in the case, a department spokesman said Sunday.Adam Mastrucci, Scott Lowrance and brothers Aaron and Barry Gilfand were playing pool at the bar when the off-duty officers attacked them, Fine said.
Patrol officers responded to a 911 call, but allegedly left after speaking to one of the off-duty officers, Fine said.
“I don't think this is a case where the police department can say they don't know who they're looking for,” Fine said.
Security cameras inside and outside the bar captured the incident, said Sally Saltzberg, another attorney for the men.
ABC News is actively looking for it
Chicago police are investigating new allegations that off-duty officers attacked patrons inside a bar in Chicago's West Loop. It was reportedly caught on tape.The media does not have access to this videotape yet. But prosecutors and Chicago Police Internal Affairs investigators are reviewing it.
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Four businessmen claim to have been on the restaurant/bar's main floor, minding their own business shooting pool. Their lawyer, Steve Fine of Chicago, alleges that around 2 a.m. his clients were attacked by as many as six men they later found out were off-duty Chicago cops.“They were approached by an unknown individual. Our client responded that he wasn't looking for trouble. At which point he was punched in the face. Our three other clients were approached from behind and take down,” said Finespeaks.
The Chicago Tribune reports the attacks were videotaped by surveillance cameras inside the building and by another attached to the outside. Fine says the outside camera should also show one of his clients talking to a uniformed officer who had responded to a 9-1-1 call about the incident.
“An off-duty police officer who was one of the assailants approached the police car, waved the police away. When the police left the scene, my clients continued to be beaten,” said Finespeaks.
more from the Tribune:
Saltzberg said the four men beaten at Jefferson Tap are frustrated that, given the existence of the video, no formal action has yet been taken.“My clients are incredibly disappointed and they're angry,” she said. She said they also remain fearful of retribution from police officers.
Saltzberg filed a petition Feb. 27 in Cook County Circuit Court seeking the names of the officers, but said Friday she has not been given the information. The petition is a precursor to a lawsuit, but the men have not formally filed suit.
The four businessmen--two of whom are traders at the Chicago Board of Trade--were shooting pool at the bar, 325 N. Jefferson St., when, Saltzberg said, they were jumped without provocation.
The men--brothers Aaron and Barry Gilfand, Adam Mastrucci and Scott Lowrance--contend they had no contact with the officers before the attack as the bartender announced last call shortly before 2 a.m., Saltzberg said.
Law enforcement sources confirmed Saltzberg's account.
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As he stood at the billiards table, Aaron Gilfand was approached by a large man who said something to him, Saltzberg said. Because of the bar noise, he didn't hear the man's remark and just responded, “Sure, man,” she said.He then was grabbed from behind by another man who put him in a chokehold and threw him to the floor, she said.
Simultaneously, the other three men were attacked and thrown to the floor, Saltzberg said. Lowrance allegedly was knocked unconscious immediately. Barry Gilfand was dragged out onto the sidewalk, she said, where he was beaten.
update 4/16/07: the 4 complainants filed suit against Jefferson Tap
