Three months after news of the scandal broke, the toll stands as follows: one police chief retired; four federal lawsuits filed; and charges against at least 19 former defendants dismissed over concerns about the credibility of former officers John Cichy, Matthew Hudak and Terrance O'Brien, currently facing charges including criminal drug conspiracy, delivery of a controlled substance, theft and official misconduct.
The alleged criminal conduct and credibility questions left prosecutors no alternative but to dismiss selective cases, said Sally Daly, spokeswoman for Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez. While defense attorneys praised Alvarez's decision to drop the charges, some law enforcement officials worried about former defendants returning to the street.
"There are probably some bad people involved who got a free pass," said Jack Riley, special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's Chicago office.
You can read the full story in the Daily Herald's edition from Sunday, April 7, 2013, or online at dailyherald.com.
