Chicago hires former US attorney to review law department

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Chicago Department of Law announced that it is initiating an independent review of its division that defends Chicago police officer claims after a federal judge alleged that city lawyers "intentionally withheld" evidence in a 2011 police shooting case.

The department said Sunday that Dan Webb, co-chairman of Winston & Strawn, will perform the review of its Federal Civil Rights Litigation division, which defends officers in "a variety of claims, including excessive force," according to a statement. Webb is a former U.S. Attorney.

"We have zero tolerance for any action that undermines the trust of the residents we serve. Working with respected experts in the field, we are taking immediate action to ensure that city attorneys never again repeat the violations that were made in the Pinex case and maintain the highest professional standards going forward," said Corporation Counsel Steve Patton in a statement.

On Jan. 4 a federal judge accused city attorneys of "intentionally withholding" evidence in the fatal police shooting death of Darius Pinex.