Tio Hardiman Says He Is Innocent of Domestic Violence Charge

The head of an anti-violence organization reportedly claimed Sunday that he’s innocent of the domestic violence charge he’s facing after he was arrested Friday for allegedly becoming violent with his wife. Tio Hardiman, 50, said he was innocent and that he had a spiritual awakening during his time at Cook County Jail, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

 

He said he has been with his wife for 13 years and “never had a problem like this”, the Sun-Times reported. Suburban Chicago police said the head of Ceasefire Illinois faces a misdemeanor domestic battery charge and will appear again in court in Maywood on Tuesday. Hillside Police Chief Joseph Lukaszek said Hardiman was arrested Friday after his wife came to the police station and “presented injuries.”

 

Prosecutors alleged Saturday that Hardiman’s wife was struck in the head, back, neck, face and torso. They also noted that Hardiman had a “prior history” with his first wife nearly 12 years ago. Hardiman was released on $20,000 bond Saturday night. “The only thing I can say is that the verdict is still out,” Hardiman said Saturday. “We’re going to do our best to bounce back from this situation.”