Man maced by bartender, ignored by police, files suit

After being run out of a Collinsville bar twice, sprayed both times with mace by its bartender and ignored by city police, Michael Maddalino retaliated by filing a three-count $150,000 suit against Patty's Pub for injuries and pain and suffering.

In the suit filed in Madison County Circuit Court June 21, Maddalino claims he was served a drink, then asked to leave on June 21, 2003.

Maddalino alleges he was followed outside the bar and without provocation was sprayed with mace in his left eye for 30 seconds and a small amount in his right eye which blinded him. He claims the bartender returned to the bar without offering any assistance and locked the door.

After feeling his way back to the bar, Maddalino claims he banged on the bar door but received no answer.

He started to cross the street to leave when the bartender came out again, "cussing and spraying him again with the mace and then running back inside the bar locking the door," the complaint states.

In distress, Maddalino went back to the bar one more time to ask for water and police assistance.

"A patron finally came out and found mace coming from his ears, nose, mouth and eyes," the suit states.

As soon as his vision was restored three days later, Maddaline claims he attempted to file a report with Collinsville Police. But, according to Maddalino, police never contacted him to finalize the matter.

Maddalino states he did not seek medical treatment until June 27, 2003, due to his temporary blindness.

He claims that Patty's Pub and the bartender failed to excercise care in protecting patrons, failed to act as a reasonable person, and failed to render assistance after he was maced.

According to the complaint, Maddalino suffered injuries of a lasting nature, suffered great pain and suffering, lost wages, and has been prevented from attending his normal duties.

Maddalino is represented by Billie Johnson of Johnson and Anderson in Edwardsville. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Philip Kardis in Granite City.