Bartender-beating threats investigated

Authorities are investigating whether anyone tried to bribe or threaten a bartender to dissuade her from pressing charges against an off-duty police officer accused of beating her, police said Thursday.

The Chicago Police Department also is looking into whether police acted properly while arresting their fellow officer in connection with the attack, which was recorded on a bar surveillance camera, police spokeswoman Monique Bond said.

"We'll move swiftly to determine if any obstruction of justice occurred," Bond said.

Karolina Obrycka _ the 24-year-old, 115-pound bartender _ reportedly refused to continue serving drinks to the 250-pound officer and then was punched, kicked and thrown to the ground at Jesse's Short Stop Inn.

Anthony Abbate, 38, is charged with felony aggravated battery in the Feb. 19 beating. Police initially charged him with simple battery, a misdemeanor, but prosecutors upgraded the charges to the felony this week. He faces up to five years in prison if convicted.

The state's attorney's office and internal police investigators are looking into claims that Abbate and at least one other person threatened Obrycka and the bar owner, Bond said.

Obrycka's attorney, Terry Ekl, said the threats included telling the bar owner that illegal drugs could be planted there and customers would be harassed.

Police also are trying to determine whether the arresting officers acted inappropriately by apparently not handcuffing Abbate on Tuesday, Bond said. Use of handcuffs is discretionary.

Calls to Abbate's attorney, William Fahey, were not returned Wednesday or Thursday. Authorities were notified of the incident Feb. 21 but could not arrest Abbate until Tuesday because he had checked himself into a hospital, Bond said.

Obrycka suffered bruises to her head, neck, back and lower body, but she should recover physically, Ekl said.

Abbate was released Wednesday after posting 10 percent of his $70,000 bond. He has been put on leave during an internal investigation, and Bond said he was expected to be fired.

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Associated Press writer Nathaniel Hernandez contributed to this report.