Abbate ''tarnished our image worse than anybody else in the history of the department,” says police superintendent.
The Associated Press
CHICAGO — An off-duty Chicago police officer who authorities say was videotaped beating a female bartender half his size faces 14 additional felony charges, prosecutors announced Friday.
Anthony Abbate, already charged with aggravated battery, was charged with seven counts of official misconduct, one count of communicating with a witness, three counts of intimidation and three counts of conspiracy, Cook County State’s Attorney’s office spokeswoman Tandra Simonton said.
He is scheduled to be arraigned on the new charges May 16.
The Chicago Police Department was heavily criticized after the bar surveillance footage was released worldwide showing the man police identified as Abbate, 38, punching, beating and throwing the bartender to the floor after she refused to serve him more drinks.
The 24-year-old bartender, Karolina Obrycka, suffered bruises to her head, neck, back and lower body in the Feb. 19 attack, according to her attorney, Terry Ekl.
Authorities said last month that they were investigating whether someone tried to bribe and then threatened the bartender to keep her from pressing charges.
Abbate’s attorney, Peter Hickey, said he was angry because he found out about the new charges from the media.
Abbate has been placed on leave, and police have said they intend to fire him over the alleged beating, which embarrassed the city and police department. Police faced intense criticism because Abbate originally was charged with a misdemeanor, until the videotape became public.
Police Superintendent Philip J. Cline, who is retiring, said Abbate had ''tarnished our image worse than anybody else in the history of the department,’' and said he would speed up the process of getting officers accused of misconduct off the street.