South Cook News

State Rep. Bob Rita (D-Blue Island) is noted as the aggressor in an assault case against Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady.

The incident occurred at the Crystal Tree Country Club on Oct. 4, according to a copy of the Orland Park Police Department report which was written by Officer Andrew Martyn.

Rita is accused of Simple Assault against O’Grady.

According to the police report, O’Grady stated that he was approaching the front door of the Crystal Tree Clubhouse when he noticed an individual standing to the east of the door.

The person in question was later identified as Robert Rita.

O’Grady reported that he felt uncomfortable as he sensed Rita staring him down and heard him mutter something that he believed sounded like "fuck you, Paul" or "I'm going to get you, Paul.”

O’Grady informed the responding officer that he is currently being sued by Rita.

Subsequently, O’Grady proceeded into the clubhouse, and in the reflection of the glass panels, he noticed that Robert Rita was directly behind him.

Inside the clubhouse, O’Grady encountered some of the establishment's employees at the bar, including individuals who he engaged in conversation.

“While (O’Grady) spoke with the employees, (Rita) paced back and forth from the first table to the west of the bar, toward the front door. (O’Grady) recognized the people seated at the table as (Rita’s) family. While pacing, (Rita) was ‘mad dogging’ (O’Grady) the entire time,” the police report reads.

According to O’Grady, his conversation with the employees lasted approximately two to three minutes. He then attempted to walk along the bar to find an open seat on the northwest corner. However, Robert Rita intentionally blocked his path and confronted O'Grady directly.

“Paul told Robert to stop trying to intimidate him,” the police report reads. “Paul's hands were in front of his body, and Robert grabbed Paul's hand(like a handshake). Robert began to squeeze Paul's hand very hard. Paul broke the grip, and told Robert to get away.”

Grady could not confirm the exact words used by Rita. However, he believed Rita conveyed a threat along the lines of "you're going to get what's coming.”

Following the incident, Rita returned to his table, and O’Grady proceeded to the other end of the bar.

An employee approached O’Grady and inquired about the incident, asking, "What was that all about?" O’Grady then decided to reach out to the police to document the incident.

The Orland Park Police attempted to contact Rita via phone but was unable to leave a message due to a full voicemail.

In July, Rita filed a lawsuit against Tinley Park Mayor Michael Glotz and O'Grady, claiming that he has been unlawfully prevented from participating in local public events.

The lawsuit alleges that his constitutional rights have been violated, particularly his First Amendment right to free speech, accusing officials of ongoing efforts to deny him access to community events.

Rita has been a prosecution witness in several recent Illinois corruption trials.

Rita, who has neither been charged with any crime nor compelled to testify under immunity from prosecution, was called upon to provide information about the inner workings of the Illinois General Assembly and Michael Madigan's inner circle in cases related to corruption.

Rita is alleged to have pleaded guilty to bribery charges in Nevada in 1991.

Those charges were later sealed and were only obtained by Illinois Policy after a whistleblower provided them.

Read the police report below.