Chicago Police Officer Accused of False DUI Arrests

Chicago Police Officer Harold Rodriguez, 46, is facing lawsuits filed by three former DUI defendants for wrongful-arrest. Gregory Sledge, one of the three men making these allegations against Rodriguez, claims he was framed last year for driving under the influence. Rodriguez claimed in his police report that he smelled a strong scent of burning cannabis emanating from Sledge’s vehicle. However, no drugs were ever recovered. Additionally, all three men claim that Rodriguez stole money from their wallets after they were arrested. Their attorney alleges that Rodriguez “wanted to supplement his city salary, so he abused his badge and power to coerce bribes, steal cash and falsely arrest innocent people for the overtime pay associated with DUI arrests.” A fourth individual is suing Rodriguez for stealing $400 in a traffic stop that ultimately did not result in an arrest.

Rodriguez was arrested in September on corruption charges after he was allegedly caught taking a $5,000 bribe in a Dunkin’ Donuts bag to fix a traffic case. After the arrest, prosecutors dropped the DUI cases against all three men that filed suit for wrongful-arrest.

Men claim Chicago cop falsely arrested them for DUI, www.suntimes.com, May 24, 2013