Lawsuits accuse Chicago Police Officer of false DUI arrests, harassing gays

The Chicago Tribune reports:

Seven federal lawsuits have been filed against a Chicago police officer that allege he made false DUI arrests, used excessive force and harassed gays and lesbians.

On Thursday, four Chicagoans filed lawsuits against Town Hall District Police Officer Richard Fiorito in U.S. District Court in Chicago. Three other people filed lawsuits in February.

All the plaintiffs accuse Fiorito of violating their civil rights by falsifying DUI charges and other traffic violations against them.

Last year, Mothers Against Drunk Driving honored Fiorito for making 313 DUI arrests between Jan. 1, 2007, and June 6, 2008, according to the group's Web site.

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