By Annie Sweeney, Chicago Tribune –
CHICAGO — Friends since the fourth grade, Gary Ortiz knew his pal Anthony Abbate was in trouble nearly six years ago after the off-duty Chicago cop was caught on videotape violently attacking a female bartender.
But in testimony Thursday for a federal lawsuit over the February 2007 beating at Jesse’s Short Stop Inn in Chicago, Ortiz told a jury he never threatened the bartender, Karolina Obrycka, into dropping the matter, as her lawyers alleged.
In fact, Ortiz was trying to help Obrycka, who after the attack was complaining of back problems, he testified.
“I told her, ‘Go to the hospital,’” said Ortiz, striking a sympathetic tone. “And when Tony wakes up and realizes what he did, he’ll apologize and pay. … I know how Tony is.”
In her lawsuit filed against the city and Abbate, Obrycka alleged that Ortiz attempted to bribe her, not offer friendly advice, as part of an effort to cover up or downplay the beating. The lawsuit alleges that Abbate’s friends, fellow officers and even those at the highest levels of the Chicago Police Department were involved in the cover-up.
Obrycka has not taken the stand yet.
Under questioning from attorney Barrett Rubens, who is defending the city, Ortiz told the jury he wouldn’t lie for his friend.
“No ma’am,” he said quickly. “Absolutely, I am not going to jail or lie in federal court for nobody.”
Ortiz, a city truck driver, drew laughs as he bantered with attorneys and offered observations.
When he said he was a regular at Jesse’s, he broke into a large smile. And when asked about another regular at the bar and whether he’d shake his hand, Ortiz responded: “I don’t know if I would shake his hand. It would depend on how he was acting that day. Maybe. Sometimes he’s a clown, stealing money off the bar.”
When pressed about whether he made several phone calls after the attack, Ortiz said he had and quipped: “I’m a phone-aholic.”
But Ortiz also testified that one of the many phone calls he made after learning of the beating was to Abbate’s police partner.
Ortiz said it was the first time he’d ever called him and that he “probably” did so after Abbate or his girlfriend asked him to.
Obrycka’s attorneys argue that call was the start of the cover-up.
