Security Video Release - Woman Claims Assault At Hooters By Off Duty Cop

A woman who claims she was attacked by a security guard at the Oak Lawn Hooters restaurant in January filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the restaurant chain, an Oak Lawn police officer and the village. The lawsuit was filed less than two weeks after the woman was sentenced to 200 days in Cook County Jail for battery for spitting on the off-duty officer in the same incident, according to Oak Law More..n police. Livier Torres claims that Joseph Schmidt, a police officer working as a Hooters security guard, attacked her Jan. 10 inside the restaurant, 9159 Cicero Ave., according to a suit filed in Cook County Circuit Court. The lawsuit claims Torres asked a waitress to see a manager about the charges but that Schmidt approached her instead and quot;took up an intimidating position.quot; The manager arrived and discussed the disputed bill and took Torresapos; credit card while she waited in the cashier area, according to the lawsuit. While Torres waited, Schmidt put her in a chokehold, grabbed her by the hair, threw her to the floor and continued to kick and stomp her, the lawsuit said. Torres claims she did not pose a threat or danger to anyone in the establishment. Torres was arrested for battery after the incident for spitting in Schmidtapos;s face and was convicted Aug. 20 and sentenced Nov. 4, according to a news release issued Thursday by police. It said Oak Lawn officials had not seen a copy of the lawsuit but that the village was quot;prepared to vigorously defend itself.quot; The release said the Oak Lawn Police Department will not comment further. The lawsuit claims, among other things, that Hooters failed to provide adequate security, used excessive force and failed to control its employees.