Posted by Speaking of Chet on February 15, 2008 at 22:51:51:
In Reply to: WMVP's Chet Coppock suspended for remark posted by chicagomedia.org on February 08, 2008 at 17:03:25:
Chet Coppock, the sports-radio talk-show host who got a black eye after an attack outside Allstate Arena a year ago, is fighting back in court.
Coppock has filed a civil suit in Cook County against the assailant, Jaime Waldron of Milwaukee, plus five other parties, including Allstate Arena, Aramark Sports and the Village of Rosemont.
In March, Waldron was found guilty of having attacked Coppock after the Marquette-De Paul basketball game Feb. 14, 2007, but he received no jail time. Waldron was sentenced to 40 hours of community service, one year of probation and $140 in court costs.
After the sentencing, Coppock vowed to make Waldron "pay attorney's fees until he drops," and Coppock has followed through on that vow.
"What Waldron did was cowardly, totally unprovoked," Coppock said Friday. "I still recall him laughing while I sat in an ambulance. If he thinks this is a game, he's in for a rude awakening."
Since the attack, Coppock said, he has suffered from nightmares, severe headaches and bouts of depression.
Asked why his list of defendants also includes the arena, Aramark and Rosemont, Coppock directed that issue to his attorney, Loren B. Siegel. A representative from Siegel's office said he would not be able to return calls until next week.
Rosemont spokesman Gary Mack said the village "doesn't feel it's liable for any damages in this case."
Coppock said the attack was unprovoked and that Waldron had been drinking heavily and taunting De Paul fans during the game.
After Coppock left the arena with his girlfriend and began to enter his car, he said, the assailant punched him near his right eye. The gash required three stitches.
Waldron apparently was unfamiliar with Coppock, who is serving a suspension over an insensitive remark about Jews on the air. The weekend host is slated to return to WMVP-AM 1000 on Feb. 23.