Former Chicago Police officer Anthony Abbate may wind up in prison after all, just not for the reason we all thought he would. Last summer, Abbate was found guilty of aggravated assault in the videotaped beating of bartender Karolina Obrycka . He managed to avoid jail time, though, being sentenced to two years of probation, an enforced curfew, anger management classes, alcohol evaluation, and 130 hours of community service. But the Tribune reports today that Abbate failed a drug test in early January, a violation of his probation, which could lead to jail time. more ›

Anthony Abbate has got to have some of the hugest cajones on the planet. If we ever got shitfaced enough to lay hands on a woman and then had the videotape of said event broadcast across the globe, you couldn't find a hole deep enough or dark enough for us to hide in. And yet, according to the Trib, ex-cop and infamous asshole Abbate petitioned the court yesterday to request that a judge give him a second chance to defend himself: more ›

Today through Wednesday, we're counting down the top 9 stories of 2009 according to the Chicagoist staff. more ›

The Chicago Police Board has spoken and they've spoken unanimously: Anthony Abbate is to be discharged from the Chicago Police Department. The "independent civilian body of nine Chicagoans" reviewed the case against Abbate, who was found guilty of aggravated battery this summer in the February 2007 beating of Karolina Obrycka at Jesse's Short Stop Inn, a beating that was caught by the bar's surveillance camera and then seen around the world. more ›

A police board held a hearing today to determine whether or not Anthony Abbate will remain an officer with the Chicago Police Department. While Abbate has been relieved of duties without pay, FOX 32 reports he's still technically a member of the police force. As part of the hearing, Abbate testified but pled the Fifth nearly 100 times. more ›

Yesterday, Chicago Police officer Anthony Abbate was sentenced to two years of probation, a forced curfew, anger management classes, alcohol evaluation and 130 hours of community service for the February 2007 beating of bartender Karolina Obrycka which was caught on tape and broadcast around the world. more ›

We're still waiting for more details, but according to a Sun-Times tweet Abbate has been sentenced to two years probation for the taped beating of bartender Karolina Obrycka. He was found guilty on a charge of aggravated battery three weeks ago. more ›

In case you somehow missed it yesterday, now-suspended Chicago Police officer Anthony Abbate was found guilty of aggravated assault in the brutal February 2007 attack on bartender Karolina Obrycka. Abbate originally faced 15 charges but he was acquitted on two and the rest were dropped before the end of the trial. Judge John J. Fleming dismissed Abbate's claim of self-defense, saying the 115-pound Obrycka's attempts to push 250-pound Abbate out from behind the bar "did not justify [Abbate's] actions afterward, which were completely out of proportion." Abbate is scheduled to be sentenced on June 23 when he could face up to five years in prison for the attack. [Chicago Breaking News, WBBM] more ›

Both the Trib and Sun-Times are reporting Chicago Police officer Anthony Abbate has been found guilty on one count of aggravated battery. He originally faced 15 felony counts of aggravated battery in a public place, communication with a witness, intimidation, conspiracy and official misconduct. more ›

Before we continue with the post, we invite you to first re-watch the surveillance tape video that's been repeatedly shown across the country over the last 2+ years. more ›

The case of a Chicago Police officer who was caught on tape beating a Chicago bartender finally gets underway today. 12-year CPD vet Anthony Abbate stands accused in the February 2007 beating of Karolina Obrycka at Jesse's Short Stop Inn, a beating that was caught by the bar's surveillance camera. Abbate allegedly attacked Obrycka after she refused to continue serving him drinks. If this is the first you've heard of the case in a while, it's because the presiding judge, Circuit Judge John J. Fleming, issued a gag order in the case last May. Abbate faces 15 felony counts of aggravated battery in a public place, communication with a witness, intimidation, conspiracy and official misconduct which could add up to five years in jail if convicted more ›

• As expected, Mayor Daley named Richard Rodriguez to replace Ron Huberman as President of the CTA. Daley also appointed Rosemarie Andolino as aviation chief.
• Former Bulls player and television analyst Norm Van Lier passed away today at the age of 61. Van Lier was a three-time all-star for the Bulls from 1971-1978.
• The Republic Windows and Doors plant where workers staged a sit-in last year has been bought by the California-based Serious Materials, who plans to rehire the plant's former workers.

We get lots of email from readers in our inbox, some kind, some not so much. And we also get questions about certain stories in the area. Without a doubt, the story we're asked about the most is the case of Anthony Abbate, the Chicago Police officer caught on tape beating a Chicago bartender after she allegedly refused to serve him more beer. A December start to his trial came and went but nary a word was uttered about what was up with the case. While we still don't know exactly what happened, we do know now that he did appear in court today for a hearing and he's due back in court on February 26 when it's expected he'll be issued a new trial date. more ›

It's been a rough day for two Chicago Police officers who side-stepped the law. First up is Anthony Abbate who was caught on tape beating bartender Karolina Obrycka at Jesse's Shortstop Inn last February. Plea negotiations fell apart and Abbate will go on trial November 19 for a variety pack of felonies including aggravated battery in a public place, official misconduct, intimidation and communicating with a witness. The wait until November is to let the hoopla surrounding the beating to die down. Good luck with that. more ›

City crews have filled over 400,000 potholes since December. Wow. But the Transportation Commissioner says real resurfacing projects can't be completed until the state coughs up the money. [S-T] more ›

Anthony Abbate's lawyer is seeking a gag order to ban lawyers and witnesses from speaking about the case, saying all the publicity makes it hard for his client to get a fair trial. The ex-cop is facing 15 felony charges for beating Karolina Obrycka, a female bartender, in an infamous incident caught on tape and widely circulated. The judge in the case will hold a hearing May 12 to decide. [Trib, ABC 7] more ›

Anthony Abbate, the cop caught on tape beating the crap out of a female bartender, was expected to plead guilty today as part of a plea agreement. But he didn't, and now his case is heading towards trial. more ›

Screw Valentine's Day...let's think of tomorrow as Palentine's Day instead. High fives and paper airplanes for everyone! more ›

The police officer who beat the shit out of a female bartender last year? Well, some sticker fan in the West Loop does. more ›

This sounds pretty cool -- the State of Illinois' third annual small-business challenge cited 13 winners for its $10,000 Innovate Illinois grant program. You can find out more about the program here. Don't stop believin' in anonymity when it comes to the mob -- as the much-anticipated Family Secrets mob conspiracy trial opens, jurors will share their backgrounds, views on issues and reading habits-but not their names. It's Police Superintendent Idol! Three and "possibly... more ›

In the wake of recent police misconduct, Superintendent Philip Cline has handed his resignation to Mayor Daley in a meeting this morning. Though he was originally expected to retire at the end of the year, the recent problems have obviously made an early trip to Del Boca Vista a little more attractive despite comments last Friday that he wanted to stay with the department and that he served at the will of the Mayor. The... more ›

Chicago police officers don't exactly have a perfect track record. Actually, the force is beginning to look like they are using the script from Training Day. Torture, drugs, weapons, intimidation, etc. We understand that there are over 15,000 officers on the force, and most of the recent problems involve a small number of cops, but things aren't looking good. Obviously, the national headliner is the bartender beating by a liquored-up, off-duty officer. The video... more ›