Former Chicago police Officer Anthony Abbate beats up female bartender Karolina Obrycka at Jesse's Shortstop Inn in Chicago in Feb. 2007.
A federal jury today found in favor of a female bartender who was beaten by an off-duty Chicago police officer in a notorious 2007 attack captured on security cameras.
The jury awarded the bartender, Karolina Obrycka, $850,000 in compensatory damages against the city. Obrycka’s lawyers contended a code of silence protected Abbate from punishment until the damning videotape was made public.
Lawyers for the bartender, Karolina Obrycka, contended a code of silence protected Abbate from punishment until the damning videotape was made public.
Obrycka contended during the trial that Abbate, other officers and higher-ups tried to cover up and minimize her February 2007 beating as part of an unofficial "code of silence" policy within the department.
The trial in federal court comes nearly six years after Abbate attacked Obrycka at Jesse's Short Stop Inn when he went behind the bar.
Concerned by the police inaction, Obrycka's lawyers released a video of the beating weeks later, causing a firestorm of criticism of the department and leading to charges against Abbate being upgraded to felonies.
The veteran officer was later convicted of aggravated battery but spared prison. He was then fired by the department.
asweeney@tribune.com
Jury finds in favor of bartender in cop bar beating case
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