Chicago police officer charged in alleged insurance scheme

The AP reports:

A Chicago police officer and another man have been charged by federal authorities with taking part in an alleged auto insurance fraud scheme.

Charged with felony mail fraud are Officer Joseph Grillo and James Athans of Wood Dale. The FBI says two other men - including another officer - who have not been charged participated in the scheme.

The FBI says that Athans towed the vehicle belonging to the other officer from behind a police station on the city's West Side. The officer who is identified in the complaint as Co-schemer A reported the car stolen and collected insurance money.

The release says Athans took the vehicle to a storage lot owned by the fourth man and dismantled for parts.

The police department says Grillo has been relieved of his duties pending the investigation.

No word yet from Mayor Daley on whether these are just a "few bad apples".