advertisement

Second federal lawsuit filed against former Schaumburg cops

A Chicago man arrested last year by three former Schaumburg police officers accused in a criminal drug conspiracy is suing the ex-cops and village of Schaumburg, claiming he was wrongly jailed for seven months after they conspired to violate his rights.

In the suit, filed Monday in U.S. District Court, Diangelo Beasley claims former officers John Cichy, Matthew Hudak and Terrance O’Brien beat him and placed him under arrest under false pretenses June 27 in Arlington Heights.

“As a direct and proximate consequence of said conduct ... Mr. Beasley suffered violations of his constitutional rights, loss of liberty, monetary expenses, emotional distress and other injuries,” the lawsuit states.

Beasley, 25, was charged with delivery of a controlled substance after the arrest, but Cook County prosecutors dismissed the case last month — along with several others — in the wake of allegations Cichy, Hudak and O’Brien had been skimming drugs from police seizures and working with an informant to sell them on the street.

The suit seeks undisclosed punitive and compensatory damages from the former officers and compensatory damages from the village.

It is the second federal lawsuit against Schaumburg this month linked to accusations against the ex-cops. A Schaumburg man sued Hudak, O’Brien and the village Feb. 8, alleging the officers illegally searched his property and stole more than $2,000 from his grandmother’s home.

Village Manager Ken Fritz declined to comment on the lawsuit Tuesday. Attorneys for Cichy, Hudak and O’Brien either did not return calls for comment or declined to comment.

Beasley’s suit states he was visiting a friend in Arlington Heights the morning of June 27 when a man he now knows as Hudak joined them and together they began driving toward Palatine. On the way, they stopped near an Arlington Heights Metra station and Hudak pulled a gun and struck Beasley in the head with it, the suit claims.

Cichy and O’Brien then appeared on the scene, the suit alleges, beat Beasley and arrested him, even though he had not committed a crime. Beasley remained jailed for seven months facing charges that could have put him in prison for 30 years, until county prosecutors dropped the case against him in January.

The suit alleges the officers made a false arrest, violated Beasley’s due process rights, conspired against him and used excessive force. Schaumburg is being sued for negligent supervision and because the officers’ acts were committed within the scope of their employment.

Cichy, Hudak and O’Brien each face multiple felony charges stemming from accusations the tactical officers ran a scheme to shake down drug dealers and sell marijuana and cocaine in DuPage County. Cichy and Hudak are free on bail, but O’Brien remains in custody at the DuPage County jail.

All three officers resigned shortly after their Jan. 16 arrests.

Cases worked by Schaumburg officers under review

Schaumburg leaders says officers' arrests shouldn't taint entire force

Prosecutor: Schaumburg cop said he sold drugs for thrills

Schaumburg chief: Officer arrests 'not just an internal matter'

Drug charges dropped in cases involving accused Schaumburg cops

More cases dismissed involving accused Schaumburg cops

Three arrested Schaumburg officers resign

Former Schaumburg cops closer to getting out of jail

Grand jury indicts ex-Schaumburg cops

Elgin drug case dropped because of tie to accused Schaumburg cop

Suit: Cops stole from suspect

Schaumburg hires outside consultants to examine police department

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.