Chicago DUI “Top Cop” Removed From The Streets

How many innocent people had to get railroaded before this finally happen?

Chicago cop off streets after being accused of faking DUI arrests

October 9, 2009
BY FRANK MAIN Staff Writer

A Chicago Police officer honored in the past for making hundreds of drunken driving arrests has been removed from the street and placed on administrative duty as the department investigates claims he falsified arrest reports.

Officer Richard Fiorito, 60, faces a lawsuit in federal court in which 19 people claim he violated their rights in DUI stops. In at least one stop, he is accused of writing an arrest report whose facts contradict video taken from a camera on his squad car.

Also, in at least one pending DUI case, an arrested driver plans to show video he believes will contradict what Fiorito wrote in that arrest report.

Roderick Drew, a police spokesman, said Fiorito “can’t go out and make DUI stops” until an internal investigation is completed.

Fiorito, who denies the allegations, is one of three Chicago officers whose DUI arrests have come under scrutiny by the department.

Officer Joe D. Parker, 60, retired July 1 after an inquiry was opened into his DUI arrests. Officer John Haleas, 38, has been charged criminally for allegedly failing to perform a field-sobriety test and lying in DUI arrest reports. A hearing in his case is set for Wednesday.

In another blow to Justice, Anita Alveraz, Cook County’s State’s Attorney, announced that no criminal charges will be brought against Officer Joe D. Parker. All the people he wrongfully arrested for DUI, however, will get no relief. Thanks, Ms. Alvarez. Seems fair. How much money do DUI arrests collect for the County, again?

In past years, Fiorito, Parker and Haleas have been named “top cops” by Schaumburg-based Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists for the number of DUI arrests they made. But attorneys who have sued Fiorito and Parker have claimed they falsified arrests in order to profit from overtime they would receive by appearing in court in those cases.

MADD is also silent on whether or not they will rescind the honors bestowed upon these three.

If you or someone you know has been arrested and charged with drunk driving from any one of these three officers, please contact our offices immediately. Even if you have pled guilty, we may be able to help. Call (312) 494-3131 for a free consultation. Ms. Alvarez and MADD might look the other way, but we won’t.