Jay Mariotti, the former Sun-Times columnist whose harsh criticisms of local athletes, coaches and teams made him one of the most controversial figures in the Chicago sports media, has been charged once again with domestic violence.
↵A statement from the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office says that Mariotti pleaded not guilty to felony charges related to stalking and assaulting his former girlfriend, the same woman he was convicted of assaulting last year.
↵Mariotti stands accused of confronting his ex-girlfriend twice, including once on the very day that he was convicted of battery on her last year. One of the terms of his plea deal was that Mariotti agree to have no contact with his ex-girlfriend, but Mariotti allegedly violated that deal within hours of agreeing to it. Mariotti is also accused of grabbing the woman, pulling a chunk of her hair out and taking her phone in a separate altercation in April.
↵The charges against Mariotti are one felony count each of stalking, corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant and assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury. He is also charged with two misdemeanor counts of disobeying a domestic court order.