Politics & Government
Skokie Responds To Cop Victim's Injuries: 'Deep Concern,' 'Isolated Incident'
The village responded to the lawsuit accusing one of its officers of forcefully throwing a woman in custody, causing her broken bones. The officer is working away from the public and investigations are ongoing.
Skokie Village Manager Albert Rigoni issued a response Tuesday after news broke Monday that a Chicago woman, Cassandra Feuerstein, has brought a lawsuit against the village and Police Officer Michael Hart of the Skokie Police Department.
The lawsuit alleged that after Feuerstein was arrested for driving under the influence on March 10 and was in a Skokie Police Department holding cell for processing, that Hart, in a rage, grabbed the 110-pound woman and threw her with force across the cell. She struck a cement bench and broke facial bones, which the lawsuit says resulted in surgeries, an internal titanium plate to hold bones together, difficulty in eating, loose teeth, severe pain and having her face shaped differently on one side.
Earlier: Watch video of the incident
Following is the statement from Mr. Rigoni:
The Village of Skokie expresses deep concern for Ms. Cassandra Feuerstein’s injuries that occurred at the Skokie Police Station earlier this year. Officer Michael Hart has been on station duty and has no contact with the public. Both the Village of Skokie and the Cook County State’s Attorney have ongoing investigations pending that began when the incident occurred. Those being interviewed in the investigations include the numerous other Skokie police officers, both male and female, who were present at the time and treated Ms. Feuerstein with professionalism and respect. The Village of Skokie values the Skokie Police Department’s high professional standards and reputation and is deeply concerned about this isolated incident. When the investigations have concluded they will be released to the public and further steps will be taken as necessary. The Village of Skokie is committed to reaching a full resolution in this matter.
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