Columbus statue in Little Italy vandalized again

The Christopher Columbus statue in Arrigo Park in Little Italy was vandalized again after the city spent thousands of dollars cleaning up paint thrown onto it over the weekend.

The statue was covered with a blue tarp Wednesday and the words “murderer,” “racist,” “rape” and “pig” could be seen spray-painted on the pedestal below it. Witnesses said the word “pig” was spray-painted on the statue before it was covered. A Chicago Park District security car was parked on the sidewalk next to the monument.

Chicago police did not provide details about the vandalism Wednesday evening.

The Park District said it spent $4,500 to clean the statue after it was splattered with balloons filled with blue and pink paint Friday.

Robert Bertucci, a retired Cook County judge, was recorded taking a swing at a protester Saturday near the statue hours after it was defaced. Bertucci could not be reached for comment.