Man slugs officer over parking ticket, gets 90 days in jail

from chicago sun times


BY ERIC HERMAN Staff Reporter
A Cook County judge ordered a Chicago man to serve 90 days in jail for slugging a hearing officer while contesting a parking ticket.
Raymond Walters, 40, was found guilty of misdemeanor battery Wednesday after a one-day bench trial, according to Cook County state's attorney spokeswoman Marci Jensen. Judge Mark Ballard said Walters had to serve the full 90 days, and he was in custody Wednesday night.

Prosecutors said Walters hit hearing officer Jerome Katz, 77, when contesting a $50 parking ticket May 30. Katz is a "longtime hearing officer for the city," according to a statement by the Department of Administrative Hearings.

"After an adverse decision from [the] hearing officer, Walters exploded in anger, began yelling and cursing, then dived over a desk and punched the hearing officer," the statement said.

Katz suffered bruises and facial swelling. He could not be reached for comment.

Walters has a history of arrests for offenses including reckless conduct, domestic battery and criminal trespass, records show.

During this week's trial, prosecutor Matt Fakhoury played a recording of the hearing depicting Walter's "violent outburst," according to the statement.

"I hope the three-month jail sentence in this case sends a message that assaults on our hearing officers will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," said James Reilly, chief administrative law officer.

eherman@suntimes.com