PJS Columnist Luciano Arrested

Tools

By Tom McIntyre

Story Published: May 18, 2009 at 9:38 PM CST

Story Updated: Jun 18, 2009 at 12:21 PM CST

Peoria Journal Star columnist Phil Luciano –arrested on battery and trespass charges over the weekend – did not appear on his daily radio show on WMBD this afternoon.

Peoria County police arrested Luciano on two counts of battery and one count of trespass after an alleged altercation at the Owl's Nest Tavern in West Peoria.

According to the police reports, a man told police Luciano hit him in the head early Saturday Morning at the tavern...was escorted out...returned and struck a woman who was near the man who was first hit.

County deputies arrested Luciano in the 1900 block of Alice Street a short time later.

Luciano was released from custody after paying a bond.

Mike Wild, General Manager of JMP Media, said Luciano and radio–co–host Jamie Markley were taking a couple of days off their radio program.

Wild said Luciano's arrest was a matter for the justice system, and there would be no comment about it.

The Peoria Journal Star Monday night said there would be no comment about Luciano's arrest.

Monday, Jul 13 at 2:17 PM Supporter wrote ...

Philis a very good writer. In fact, his column's are like fresh deodorant on a smelly arm pit in Peoria!

Friday, Jun 5 at 1:33 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Gee Mr. Luciano, where were your friends when you need them to back you up that night? I don't know? Maybe at home with their families, maybe listening to Rush's program (you remember him, he's the guy that's known world wide and consulted by many, but you like to act like you're better than him), or maybe, just maybe, you have no friends or at least ones hanging out in a bar at 1am.

Wednesday, May 27 at 1:58 PM John wrote ...

Luciano is a tool with a short fuse when he's sober; I can only imagine what he's like drunk. Don't expect a lot of sympathy here Phil, considering how many enemies you've made in this area by bashing them in print. Do us all a favor, guilty or innocent. Go back to Chicago...oh wait, I forgot you aren't good enough to get work there, that's why you're here. Try getting a gig at the Pekin or Canton paper, that's more your speed.

Wednesday, May 20 at 9:51 PM listen wrote ...

Big no no should be ashamed for bringing Phil's daughter into it. Instead of trying to get the speck out of someone else's eye maybe you need to work on getting the board out of your own.

Wednesday, May 20 at 8:11 AM Amy grow up wrote ...

The man has the right to his opinion...its called freedom of speech. If you dont like it stupid go to Korea you kommie.

Wednesday, May 20 at 4:10 AM Uh oh wrote ...

Being a local celebrity isn't what it's cracked up to be, is it?

Tuesday, May 19 at 9:13 PM Seems Reasonable to Me. wrote ...

I've seen him be heckled at bars because he is a local celebrity. But he is still human, and sometimes you do get the bull's horns. Good for him for not being pushed around. As for the woman that was caught in the cross-fire, the guy with the mouth ducked the Luc, just to have the hit he had coming get passed to a woman.

Tuesday, May 19 at 9:00 PM Amy wrote ...

I have not paid a penny for a Journal Star since Mr. Luciano ran the column that started "single mothers are stupid" I assume the paper does not want my business since I called Mr. Luciano and he stood by his words. Maybe we have a little bit of Karmic retribution! Either way, this single mother isn't stupid enough to go to jail for a bar fight nor were his children. Here's your sign Phil, It's long over due and much deserved.

Tuesday, May 19 at 8:54 PM lol will always be an idiot wrote ...

are we a little cranky?

Tuesday, May 19 at 8:25 PM to lol is an idiot dude wrote ...

Well,be specific if your going to say something you pedo. Go get castrated.

Tuesday, May 19 at 7:33 PM jan wrote ...

Beaucheckers,,I am with u on the fact that the Kids and School do not enter into this..shame on them!!!!

Tuesday, May 19 at 7:28 PM jan wrote ...

Beaucheckers: Thanks for telling me about the woman. Thought as much..:) I say Phil deserves a fair hearing and doesn't seem he is getting it here!

Tuesday, May 19 at 7:26 PM to big no no- wrote ...

what is wrong with you, obivously, if you are a christian, you are not a very good one. Why would you bring his daughter into this? How is the glass house you are living in?

Tuesday, May 19 at 7:14 PM concerned wrote ...

It is wrong to mention where a child goes to school. The child should not even be mentioned here.

Tuesday, May 19 at 6:14 PM big NO NO wrote ...

Phil claims to be a "christian" what type of example is he setting for his daughter...again, stay away from the beer and this wouldn't happen. It does fit the story

Tuesday, May 19 at 6:05 PM Beaucheckers wrote ...

big no no - Why, Why, Why did you find it necessary to out his daughter's school? You think she's not embarassed enough? That was info. none of us needed nor u\is it pertinent to the story

Tuesday, May 19 at 5:41 PM a big NO NO wrote ...

no excuse for what happen. His daughter attends PEORIA CHRISTIAN, what a fine example for a father, stay away from the beer and this won't happen

Tuesday, May 19 at 4:12 PM lol is still an idiot wrote ...

I WAS SAYING.....EVERYBODY SHOULD GET A FAIR TRIAL (EVEN COPS).....PHIL IS NO DIFFERENT (EVEN IF HE IS KEVIN LYONS BOYFRIEND).....go back to smoking your crack.....

Tuesday, May 19 at 3:50 PM Beaucheckers wrote ...

Jan - The way I understand it he wasn't trying to hit the woman - she was an innocent bystander. Let's all give Phil a chance. I believe some of you are fans of Rick Baker and he was known to throw a punch or two in his time. If memory serves he hit his editor once and got fired for it. 'Course PJS knew a good thing and hired him back...I think most of us (if honest) have gotten drunk and done some incredibly stupid things.

Tuesday, May 19 at 3:31 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Wat Can you say now Phil. It was your twin. Look who's in the hot seat now.

Tuesday, May 19 at 3:00 PM to the guy that said lol is idiot wrote ...

Have you ever heard the term a fair trial? Innocent til guilty but i suppose not with that lack of a brain in that skull. Go drive in a flooded river.

Tuesday, May 19 at 2:50 PM jan wrote ...

Just one thing Phil...Never exceptable to hit a woman.even tho some deserve it..:)

Tuesday, May 19 at 2:44 PM chief61554 wrote ...

I'm with the innocent until proven guilty group. Hang in there Phil.

Tuesday, May 19 at 2:37 PM ladyjnel wrote ...

Sorry...Jesus got Mad not Made..or so it goes.. Listen to the judgement you are melting out without knowing only what the media says..

Tuesday, May 19 at 2:35 PM jan wrote ...

Sorry that was Jesus got MAD not made:)

Tuesday, May 19 at 2:34 PM Jan wrote ...

If someone is perfect please tell me who u are? If Phil cobbered someone ,maybe he should not of done it..but their is a reason i bet? Even if someone has not done the same..bet their were times they thought it.anyway you christians..you casting the first stone..??? Even Jesus got made at the money changers in the church and turned the tables.:)

Tuesday, May 19 at 2:26 PM jan wrote ...

Before he is Judged and Ostorized I would like to hear the Whole story.:) a believer in Phil...ladyjnel

Tuesday, May 19 at 1:53 PM Wolf wrote ...

Good Job Phil. You one bad dude.

Tuesday, May 19 at 11:48 AM just me wrote ...

exactly what comment is the journal star supposed to make ? i am pretty sure they dont have a reporter following phil around to keep track of what he is doing, so that it can be reported to everyone. he did something stupid, that he isnt getting away with. he was arrested and had to bail himself out. maybe some people will catch on that getting drunk can get you trouble.

Tuesday, May 19 at 11:21 AM b...s... wrote ...

Wow, go figure the all mighty pj star holds back on giving info on one of there own dicks .But if was anyone else they would be jumping all over the chance of slandering them.Hypocrites...

Tuesday, May 19 at 11:14 AM Flash wrote ...

Maybe Phil should have stuck with getting a carry out pizza from Monicals where they won't let you drink alcohol while you wait for your pizza. I don't think any punches would have been thrown in that alcohol free family environment.

Tuesday, May 19 at 10:56 AM stay out of the taverns! wrote ...

I guess we know who the "Big Jerk Of The Day" is! I realize that he can't specifically comment on an ongoing investigation, and that he can't say anything that may implicate himself, but I do believe that he owes the public (to whom he owes his livelihood) at least an acknowledgement, an apology for the unfortunate incident. No acceptance of guilt or blame, just a "My bad" would do. And what a shame that PJS can't be a responsible news source and leave the comment section turned on.

Tuesday, May 19 at 10:33 AM Sober and thankful wrote ...

I dont drink for this very reason - it makes you stupid and you just cant fix stupid! But if it were any one else in a bar fight it would not be BIG news. It happens every day in every part of town because idiots are everywhere. And playing the race card is sooooooo old now get over whatever it is you need to get over grow up and accept that stuff happens to blacks,whites,mexicans and asians and sometimes life suckes for all of us!

Tuesday, May 19 at 10:32 AM goo-goo wrote ...

Why don't you get the video from the Deputy's cruiser and and share it with the public?

Tuesday, May 19 at 10:23 AM ahahaha wrote ...

What a maroon! No more cannonball for you!

Tuesday, May 19 at 9:18 AM SNOOPSBOO wrote ...

PHIL LOU LOU,,, U A HOT MESS

Tuesday, May 19 at 9:01 AM GetReal wrote ...

How much trash is "the Luch" gonna spew about other people now? I'm sure somehow the police screwed up..WMBD and the Urinal Star ought to give him his walking papers. I'm sure that would happen with any other employer but probably not with an employee of the media.

Tuesday, May 19 at 8:56 AM geez wrote ...

Yeah, the NAACP & Jesse Jackson show up to march for every minor infraction (rolls eyes). White people: please learn that Jackson, Sharpton, NAACP & the like mean nothing to black people under 40 so please save that argument. You only make yourself look foolish.

Tuesday, May 19 at 8:36 AM Me wrote ...

I agree 100% with oldcoyote and confused. jabril is an idiot and needs to quit playing that card

Tuesday, May 19 at 8:00 AM OldCoyote wrote ...

If he was black Jabril the NAACP would have Jesse Jackson and the rest of the crew ready to march on the tavern and city hall.

Tuesday, May 19 at 7:48 AM confused? wrote ...

jabril, ur an idiot and a hypocrite. You call us hicks but if i were to even think of calling u a certain word describing ur race on here, i would be a racist and the whole black community would be up in arms. ignorant and stupid comments like urs are whats holding everyone back! you have to give respect to get respect no matter what ur skin color is. so either say something intelligent and meaningful or don't say anything at all!!!

Tuesday, May 19 at 7:45 AM What a JAG wrote ...

He should write a book called "How to Flush your career in ten minutes or less".

Tuesday, May 19 at 7:41 AM jerry wrote ...

One Lil "indiscretion" and they never let you forget.I'ts just not fair.

Tuesday, May 19 at 7:41 AM Ttuth wrote ...

booze or was it something else? how about when a girl says no? hey guys thurt is he tried to force the girl to go home with him. the other guy was just protecting her. and that is the reast of the story.

Tuesday, May 19 at 7:36 AM Beaucheckers wrote ...

Glad to know that all of you ready to hang Phil and sit in judgement have never done ONE stupid thing in your life??

Tuesday, May 19 at 7:25 AM Angel wrote ...

Hey Phil, I love the "snapshot". It's a great photo for your column. Seriously media, let the story go....how many jerks get in bar fights every weekend..... Good Luck Phil!

Tuesday, May 19 at 7:23 AM peoria sucks wrote ...

that is sad that this is such a small town that something like that makes the headlines

Tuesday, May 19 at 7:13 AM what a joke wrote ...

Who cares..... the man is human... big deal.. a little bar fight and it makes the headlines.

Tuesday, May 19 at 6:34 AM ibemo2 wrote ...

WOW. he has talked trash in his column about so many people. Hmmm wonder what he will write about his bar brawl incident??? I think its a shame that the JStar has no comment on this issue since its one of their own. If it were anyone else I'm sure there would be more info released about the incident.

Tuesday, May 19 at 5:50 AM lol is an idiot wrote ...

hey lol.....did you say give him the benefit of the doubt until he is proven guilty? sounds good....KINDA LIKE EVERYBODY DID WITH THE COPS THAT WERE ARRESTED? SPARE ME.....YOU PEOPLE ARE STUPID.....GO BACK TO WORK AND GET OFF THE COMPUTER!!!!!!!

Tuesday, May 19 at 5:43 AM Top Dog 2 wrote ...

Seems stupid to me to for sure now have a felony charge, so his credibility just went out the door as a writer, put him in the basement pushing paper rolls. He at this point can not with out cause write anything that has a conection to what he done, and include the true facts. PJS, no comment, hey thats bull S. tell it like you would if it was Drew Peterson.

Tuesday, May 19 at 5:17 AM sawthefight wrote ...

Ha ha, Luciano hits like a girl, lol

Tuesday, May 19 at 4:21 AM Hmm555 wrote ...

Good ole boy yes so the punishment will be less severe but he excuse alcohol makes people act like idiots come on people no one force him to drink, it's called personal responsibility for your action which no one seems to want to do anymore.

Tuesday, May 19 at 3:46 AM jabril wrote ...

he's lucky he's a white guy. boy if he was black you hicks would be ready to throw him under the bus fast. but since he's one of the good ol boy's he get s pass, and the benefit of the doubt lol

Tuesday, May 19 at 1:58 AM lol wrote ...

wow wonder if this will make the journal star lol. Though seriously alcohol does make people act like idiots so theres probably more than one person to blame. Give the guy benefit of the doubt til proven guilty.

Monday, May 18 at 11:02 PM steven wrote ...

see i knew it these ultra conservative evangelical crazies i don't trust known of them. Palin Limbaugh,Chaney all conservative nut cases!!!

Monday, May 18 at 10:46 PM Suz wrote ...

Is this how a person who professes Christ acts? Luciano claims to be a Christian..Don't judge all Christians by him, and his actions.

Monday, May 18 at 10:25 PM okay wrote ...

hmm

Monday, May 18 at 10:18 PM a friend wrote ...

Innocent until proven guilty people! This happened in a bar so there is probably more than one person to blame. Alcohol makes people act like idiots. As for the one viewers comments, most of us have a face for radio.

Monday, May 18 at 10:02 PM morton1211 wrote ...

wow what a tool. He does have the face for radio

Monday, May 18 at 9:56 PM earob50 wrote ...

wow! his hair looks so youthful and natural!

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