Downtown Gay Bar Owner Sues City, Police Officer

The owner of a gay bar in downtown Joliet sued the city and a police officer he claims used excessive force while falsely arresting him two years ago.
Fred Schramm, the owner of Maneuvers on Jefferson Street, was indicted on felony charges of criminal damage to government supported property and a misdemeanor charge of obstructing a police officer in connection with the July 2013 incident at his bar. Schramm pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor and the felonies were dismissed.

In his lawsuit, Schramm said his problems started when he tried to kick out a man and woman, Justin Masters and Vanessa Ford, “for continuing to harass and threaten customers,” and they responded by “screaming insults at (him) in protest” of their ejection.

“The entire time Justin Masters and Vanessa Ford were reluctantly and slowly exiting the business, Vanessa Ford was screaming profanities and insults towards” Schramm, the lawsuit said. “Vanessa Ford was particularly belligerent screaming ‘faggot’ and ‘senile’ towards (Schramm). It should be noted that at that time, (Schramm) was 67 years old and ‘Maneuvers’ was in business for over 30 years primarily serving the LGBT community.”

Masters also shoved a Maneuvers employee, the suit said.

Schramm had called the cops, the suit said, and when they got there he demanded they take Masters and Ford away.

“Vanessa Ford continued screaming her insults and profanities toward (Schramm), (he) in return told the police that he ‘wanted that bitch off my property,’” the suit said. “Upon hearing (Schramm) call Vanessa Ford ‘bitch,’ (Joliet Police Officer Phillip) Emph ordered (him) to ‘watch his mouth and quit swearing at Ford,’ to which (Schramm) replied ‘but she is a bitch.’ Emph and other officers immediately placed (Schramm) under arrest for disorderly conduct, placed (his) arms behind his back, shoved him several feet and slammed him into a police vehicle.”

Emph was the only officer named in Schramm’s lawsuit.

One of Schramm’s employees said he wasn’t at the bar Wednesday. Schramm did not respond to a message left with his employee.