CTA driver sues police officer

From the Chicago Tribune

Video footage released Thursday shows an off-duty Chicago police officer charging onto a CTA bus to confront the driver, but it was unclear if the officer threw any punches as alleged in the driver's lawsuit.

The footage was released by the attorney representing CTA bus operator Ricardo Mendoza, who said he was punched by Thomas O'Grady on Sept. 12 after O'Grady boarded a bus he was driving in the Loop.

According to the federal lawsuit, O'Grady erupted in a "violent fit" and "savagely beat" Mendoza as he remained belted in his seat . . .

. . . Attorney Craig Sandberg said even though the footage does not show a punch being landed, his client reported being hit by O'Grady, who allegedly thought Mendoza cut him off in traffic while riding a bicycle. He also said a delay between each frame on the video could mean the punch was not caught. The delay between the frames was less than a second.

"I would agree the video doesn't show contact, but I've got my client saying there is," Sandberg said. "I've got my client going to a hospital."

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