Iowa Doctor Admits To Lying About Being Attacked In Chicago
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The alleged knife attack of an Iowa doctor along the Chicago River created a stir last year. But it was all a lie, the physician admitted Monday in court.
Gary Hunninghake, 64, pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor disorderly conduct and was sentenced to 14 months of conditional discharge, Cook County State's Attorney's office spokesman Andy Conklin said.
Hunninghake must also pay $15,500 restitution to Chicago Public Schools and perform 40 hours of community service at St. Sabina's Church, Conklin said.
Hunninghake, of the 1000 block of West Highland Park Circle in Coralville, Iowa, was charged after reporting to police he was attacked on April 24, 2010, at 40 E. Lower Wacker Dr. -- on the Riverwalk about 50 feet east of Michigan Avenue, police said.
But about two weeks later, he turned himself in with his attorney at Belmont Area police headquarters after allegedly admitting he made a false police report.
In the report, Hunninghake said he was approached by three men as he jogged, and they took his wallet, with cash and credit cards in it, police said.
He also reported being stabbed by one of the three, and having his Blackberry taken, but after an "exhaustive" investigation, detectives contacted him at his home May 2 and informed him of numerous inconsistencies and contradictions in his story.
He immediately admitted the attack never happened and that the wounds were self-inflicted with a knife he bought, police said.
On the day of the reported attack, Hunninghake was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition with multiple stab wounds, according to Fire Media Affairs.
Hunninghake practices pulmonary, internal medicine, and allergy and immunology in Iowa City, according to HealthGrades, an online healthcare ratings directory.
Contributing: Sun-Times Media Wire
