Odd Turns In Debate Over Darien Candidate

DARIEN, IL — Patch's stories about Darien City Council candidate John Laratta have drawn only a handful of comments on Facebook.

But they have attracted a torrent of feedback on Patch comment boards, with Laratta himself and a duo of anonymous commenters leading the charge.

The stories are about Laratta's encounter with Darien police on the night of Dec. 29, 2019. Police said they suspected Laratta of firing shots.

The police closed the investigation last week without any charges against Laratta. The candidate has said on Patch's comment board that he did not fire shots. But this week, Patch obtained audio of a police interview with Laratta's wife, Terry Laratta, who said her husband fired shots.

Patch ran its first story Jan. 19. It has run four more since.

After every story, Laratta repeatedly posts comments, criticizing both Patch and the police. He spars with other commenters, many of whom are anonymous.

But he also enjoys support. Probably his biggest supporter is an anonymous person with the fake name of "Dr Rose Oherlihy," who has posted nearly 200 times to the website about the case.

Dr Rose's first post was Jan. 20, a day after the first Laratta story. But it wasn't even about Laratta. No, the first one was in response to a Patch story about Hinsdale High School District 86's effort for greater diversity, which Dr Rose labeled "1984-level racist poison."

Ever since, Dr Rose's focus has been to support Laratta, a Vietnam veteran. Dr Rose won't reveal his/her identity, at one point saying, "I myself identify as a transgender Eskimo woman."

On Monday, a Laratta critic also took the anonymous route on the comment board, using the fake name "Dr Robert OHerlihy." It's become a debate between the falsely named OHerlihys. Dr Robert is nearing 100 posts.

Meanwhile, Laratta continues to comment, defending himself and attacking the police and Patch.

Here's a verbatim post from Laratta on Wednesday: "The Darien police, their leaders and Daily Lier reporter David Guliali, will stop at nothing to ruin, disgrace and falsely accuse me, even with the Daily Lier's innuendos. Be prepared for an onslaught of this. I was not arrested for killing Christ, I did not burn that orphanage down and remember these same people HAVE been caught LIEING about me before.. But plenty more will come I am sure."

Laratta has not returned Patch's messages seeking an interview. He is running against Ward 5 Alderwoman Mary Sullivan in the April 6 election.

See related stories:

Darien Candidate Under Investigation In 2019 Shooting: Police

Darien Brutality Complaint Deemed Unfounded

No Charges Against Darien Alderman Candidate: Police

Darien Hopeful's Wife Contradicts His Story: Police Interview