Lawyer: Doctor accused of faking attack is good family man

May 11, 2010 1:52 PM

 Chicago Tribune

 

 

An Iowa physician charged with falsely reporting that he was stabbed along the Chicago Riverwalk is an upstanding member of the medical community and a family man, his lawyer said in bond court today.

Gary Hunninghake "is 64 years old. He's a professor of medicine at the University of Iowa," said attorney Robert Fisher.

He added that Hunninghake is the father of three children and has a "good character," Fisher said.

Hunninghake, who turned himself into Chicago police Monday, stood silently before the judge in a dark pinstripe suit. Hunninghake is accused of stabbing himself while he walked along the Chicago river and then falsely reporting to police that he was attacked and robbed.

Prosecutors said he told police he was "approached and menaced by three white males" while he jogged on the Chicago Riverwalk east of Michigan Avenue on April 24.

He said the men then stabbed him "about the chest and abdomen" and stole $350 in cash as well as his credit cards and cell phones, prosecutors said.

"Substantial resources were expended in trying to solve (this crime)," said Assistant State's Attorney Lorraine Scaduto.

But an investigation revealed a number of "inconsistencies and downright contradictions," and police contacted Hunninghake, who had returned to Iowa, Scaduto said.

Hunninghake admitted he had concocted the attack, said Scaduto.

Fisher said he still had to review the case and speak more with Hunninghake before he could discuss his client's alleged confession.

"We will certainly see with our subpoenas and the discovery process what in fact they allege he said," said Fisher, who argued that Hunninghake should be released without having to post any money.

Instead, the judge held Hunninghake on a $25,000 bond. He has to post $2,500 cash to be released from custody and is expected to do that this afternoon.

Hunninghake is also the subject of a separate criminal investigation by the University of Iowa police department and is currently on leave, according to a university spokesman.

Interim university spokesman Tom Moore would not comment on the nature of the investigation against Hunninghake, but said five search warrants have been issued in connection with the probe.

Hunninghake was put on administrative leave from the university on April 23, a day after the first search warrant had been executed, Moore said.

Fisher said Tuesday he was not aware of the investigation in Iowa.
 
Hunninghake is expected to appear back in court Monday on the charge of felony disorderly conduct.

-- Cynthia Dizikes