ABC TV Chicago reports:
An ex-officer accused of torturing suspects may face perjury charges, according to officials.No word yet from Mayor Daley on this one.
The news of a possible investigation into police torture at the command of former Chicago Police Commander John Burge was announced Wednesday at a City Council finance committee hearing. The meeting was held to explain why the city did not pay out on a $15 million settlement reached with three suspects who were allegedly tortured by Burge or his men.
One of the men involved in the police torture lawsuit is Madison Hobley, who was pardoned by ex. Gov. George Ryan. He, too, said he was tortured by Burge.
"We're confident they're using that as a negotiation tool and what the feds are actually investigating is John Burge and his torture of Madison Hobley," said Flint Taylor, plaintiff's attorney.
Fitzgerald confirmed there is an investigation underway into Burge and his detectives.
"The investigation is into allegations of perjury involving testimony in recent and pending federal civil lawsuits," Patrick Fitzgerald, US attorney said.
On Wednesday, federal investigators also said Hobley is being investigated- this time by the feds- in the same murder for which he was pardoned.
"The federal government is pursuing a murder/arson investigation for the same crime that Madison Hobley was originally convicted for," said Mara Georges, city corporation counsel.
Georges said she was told to keep the information secret last year, but has since been given permission to release it. The U.S. confirmed a few hours later that Hobley is a subject of a new federal investigation into the 1987 murders of seven people in an arson fire on Chicago's South Side.
"This would be a federal offense. Double jeopardy does not bar them pursuing the case," said Fitzgerald.
