Finance Committee approves $13.75M in settlements tied to disgraced former CPD Detective Guevara
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Chicago City Council's Finance Committee approved two settlements Monday totaling $13.75 million in civil rights cases involving former Chicago Police Detective Reynaldo Guevara, moving the agreements one step closer to final approval by the full City Council.
The committee voted to recommend a $6 million settlement for Arturo DeLeon-Reyes and a $7.75 million settlement for Gabriel Solache. The cases stem from a 1989 murder and kidnapping investigation in which Guevara was involved.
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During the committee meeting, city attorneys summarized the cases for alderpersons and outlined the city's rationale for settling rather than proceeding to trial.
"Both Solache and Reyes testified they were innocent and their statements were coerced by Guevara," said Jessica Felker, Chicago deputy corporation counsel.
Guevara is among former Chicago police officers whose credibility has been questioned. City attorneys noted that he has previously invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination when asked about abuse allegations.
"If this case does not settle it will go immediately to trial and Guevara will assert his 5th amendment privilege and decline to testify," Felker told the committee.
The discussion before the Finance Committee focused not on the guilt or innocence of the men, but on whether they would likely be able to prove misconduct by Guevara at trial. City attorneys said a trial could prove more costly for the city.
Earlier this month, city officials projected $400 million in police misconduct payouts next year.
Ald. Byron Sigcho Lopez, who represents the 25th Ward, supported the settlements.
"We look at ways we find accountability and the harm Is already done but we need to have that conversation holistically to repair the harm and move forward but it's the responsible thing to do for the city," Sigcho Lopez said.
The only committee vote against the settlements came from 15th Ward Ald. Ray Lopez. Lopez cited a deposition by former Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx in which, he said, she believed the men were guilty despite being granted certificates of innocence.
"If they were never believed to be innocent and that's a quite a real Possibility when giving them the certificate of innocence what's the rush what's the hurry why can't we get to the facts of the matter fully," Lopez said.
City attorneys said dozens of other Guevara-related cases remain pending.
The Finance Committee's recommendation now advances to the full City Council for a vote next week.
