Touhy went out of his way to sully Agent Purvis, claiming
that Purvis had handcuffed and beaten him while he was held at the Elkhorn jail
and that the beatings resulted in broken bones etc. Touhy lied. His claim of
being unable to stand for long periods of time as a result of the beatings landed
him a desk job in Stateville prisons kitchen. Extensive tests conducted by the
state of Illinois and paid for by the US Justice Department showed no broken
bones in the places he claimed to have them. The state of Illinois then offered
to provide an attorney for Touhy so he could sue the FBI for the beatings,
Touhy, perhaps the most litigious prisoner Stateville had ever held, refused.
