Ex-officer calls I-Team following alleged Fox Lake threat

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A former Chicago police officer called the ABC7 I-Team shortly after he allegedly threatened officials investigating the death of a Fox Lake police lieutenant. Ex-Chicago patrolman Joey Battaglia made bond late Tuesday, even though a Lake County judge had refused to lower his bail earlier in the day.

Battaglia was a Chicago police officer for 25 years, albeit one who retired under the cloud of a corruption investigation. According to Battaglia's attorney, he merely wanted Lake County authorities to release more information about the high-profile investigation of Lt. Joe Gliniewicz's shooting death. But how authorities say he went about that has landed him behind bars with bond set at $100,000 for two counts of felony disorderly conduct.

"I know it was never his intention to harm anyone," says Myron Goldstin, Battaglia's attorney.

But harm is just what authorities say Battaglia did threaten last Friday.

Battaglia is accused of calling the office of Lake County Coroner Thomas Rudd - and in alleged threats punctuated by profanity - he's accused of saying he would harm Rudd, Lake County Major Crimes Task Force Chief George Filenko and all the members of task force unless the death of Lt. Gliniewicz was declared a suicide.

Twenty minutes after allegedly making that call, authorities say Battaglia called some media, including leaving a much calmer message left for the I-Team.

"Hello Mr. Goudie, if you have a chance give me a call," the voicemail said. "Joey Battaglia. I'm a retired, young Chicago police officer..."

Investigators say he blocked his phone number when making the threats, but he provided his number to us.

"My number - I'll give you my cell," the message said. "Don't give out my phone number to anybody unless they are pretty girls from California on the beach. Alright, I look forward to talkin' to you."

"Mr. Battaglia is a 25-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department, he retired in 2012, he has no criminal background whatsoever," Goldstin says.

No criminal history, but the I-Team has learned that Battaglia actually retired three years ago after he was suspended when police internal affairs found he had offered confiscated marijuana to a restaurant employee, and at the time police sources say he resigned rather than face a more serious, further investigation.

On the voicemail, Battaglia said nothing about Fox Lake and no one from the I-Team ever spoke with him. He was arrested at his home in Oak Lawn on Saturday. One of the men he allegedly threatened, task force commander George Filenko, was in court for Tuesday's hearing but left out a side door without taking questions. The case of Lt. Gliniewicz remains unsolved, with no known suspects.