advertisement

Schaumburg chief’s accuser has hopes for village investigation

The attorney for the Schaumburg woman accusing the town’s police chief of stalking and harassment said the close of a criminal investigation without charges is a positive development because it allows the village’s internal probe to move forward.

Kaci Holguin said her client, Dawn Davis, never sought the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office’s criminal investigation of her ex-boyfriend — Police Chief Brian Howerton — on claims of stalking, intimidation and harassment she filed with the village.

But Davis understood that investigation had to be completed before Schaumburg’s Office of Professional Standards could complete its own investigation into Howerton’s behavior and professional conduct, Holguin said Tuesday.

In a letter the village received Monday, Fabio Valentini, chief of the state’s attorney’s criminal prosecution bureau, said no basis had been found to continue the nearly 10-month Illinois State Police investigation or to file charges.

But Holguin believes Valentini’s letter goes beyond the usual boilerplate language to suggest there is a basis for others to continue investigating.

Schaumburg Village Manager Ken Fritz said that’s the purpose of the Office of Professional Standards, whose investigation of the matter will require some more time to complete.

Davis filed her complaint in March, alleging harassing behavior by Howerton during and after their 18-month relationship represented an abuse of his authority as police chief.

In a memo Howerton wrote to village officials in July 2012, he alleged that Davis was angry he ended their relationship and that he’d had no contact with her since the breakup.

Fritz said Davis’ complaint is the only that’s ever been filed against Howerton in his 31 years with the police department.

Complaint filed against Schaumburg police chief

Schaumburg reopens investigation of chief

Schaumburg police chief says ex-girlfriend wanted revenge

Schaumburg police chief cleared of criminal wrongdoing

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.