Off Duty Police Officer in "Sox Park" Fight

By Margaret Lyons in News on Sep 21, 2004 5:41PM

Joseph W. Lullo, an Chicago police officer in the Marquette district, was arrested Saturday after some sort of brawl at the White Sox/Tigers game. Lullo was seated in House Speaker Michael Madigan's "prime seats" because he is, according to the Sun-Times, a "behind the scenes" political player. Lullo is a 13th Ward precinct captain for Madigan and has contributed $3,400 to Citizens for Lisa Madigan since 1998, which, even though the article makes it sound kind of serious, doesn't seem like that much money. Chicagoist spends $565 a year on Diet Coke.

In addition to getting out 100.3 percent of the vote in the 60th precinct (358 registered voters, 359 ballots cast), Lullo "previously was assigned to a police unit that delivers subpoenas for the corporation counsel's office -- a haven for politically connected officers such as state Rep. Edward Acevedo." Yes, this is all very incriminating.

The incident for which he was arrested took place during the 12th inning, around 11 p.m. According to reports, Lullo was using some foul language, and White Sox security guards tried to escort him out of the stadium. On the way out, he asked to use the bathroom on the concourse level. And here's where Lullo's account and the police department's account diverge. Lullo says the security guard said OK, but then changed his mind and choked Lullo. Lullo then punched the guard in self-defense. The police say that the guard said Lullo could use the bathroom in the security office, and some sort of shoving match developed, during which Lullo punched the guard in the face. However it happened, the guard has a broken nose.