UI professor pleads guilty to misdemeanor in false report case

A University of Iowa medical research director, charged with falsifying a stabbing report, pleaded guilty Monday in Cook County Circuit Court to a misdemeanor charge.

Dr. Gary Hunninghake, 64, of Coralville, director of the Institute for Clinical and Translational Sciences, originally charged with felony disorderly conduct for filing the false police report, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct, said Andrew Conklin, spokesman for the Cook County State Attorney's Office.

Hunninghake was also sentenced to 14 months conditional discharge and will be required to serve 40 hours of community service, which he will serve at Saint Sabina Church in Chicago, Conklin said. He also was ordered to pay $16,500 in restitution to the Chicago Police Department.

Robert Fisher, Hunninghake's attorney, said the information from the State Attorney's Office is incorrect regarding the restitution amount. It should be $15,565, instead of $16,500.

Fisher said the plea agreement was made because the “state, as well as the defense  felt the (original) felony charge was inappropriate. This is a fair resolution.”

Hunninghake filed a report in May claiming he had been stabbed by three people April 24, while jogging on the Chicago Riverwalk downtown, according to court records. He was taken to a hospital for his injuries but later he admitted to police he had falsified the report.

Hunninghake has been on paid leave since April from his $360,000 per year job directing the university's Institute for Clinical and Translational Research.

Hunninghake didn't make any statements during the sentencing, Fisher said.

Tom Moore, University of Iowa spokesman, said Hunninghake remains on paid leave.

“Anything beyond that remains confidential personnel information,” Moore said.