In February 2007, Chicago police officer Anthony Abbate went to Jesse’s Shortstop Inn and partied like it was 1999. When a female bartender refused to serve him more drinks, he attacked her. A surveillance camera in the bar captured the beating.
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Officer Abbate was originally charged with a misdemeanor before the video was released to the public. Charges against Abbate grew to include felony battery, official misconduct, conspiracy, intimidation, and speaking with a witness. He was suspended from the police force, but not terminated.
Lawyers and the judge could not wrap their minds around the list of charges against a police officer, so Abbate's charges were reduced. He was tried and found guilty of aggravated battery instead.
Yesterday, suspended Officer Abbate was sentenced to two years probation per Judge John J. Fleming. He will be assigned to perform community service at the average rate of 2.5 hours a week. A few anger management classes, a curfew and POOF, all the bad stuff goes away.
Judge Fleming said, “If I believed sending Anthony Abbate to prison would stop people from getting drunk and hitting other people, I'd sentence him to the maximum. But I don't believe that is the case."
Let me see if I have this straight. (Suspended) Officer Abbate was granted a pardon disguised as community service because enforcing justice against bad cops is a complete waste of Judge Fleming’s time. Is that about right? I’m so happy that we have judges who take the time to explain the subtle nuances of permissible injustice.
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