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Schaumburg settles 12th lawsuit involving disgraced former officers

Schaumburg trustees have settled a 12th lawsuit stemming from allegations against three former undercover police officers arrested in January 2013 on drug conspiracy charges.

The latest settlement pays plaintiff Xavier Neodina of Streamwood $27,500, with the stipulation that the village is not admitting to any wrongdoing on its part or that of any past or present employees.

Among the defendants named in Neodina's lawsuit were former officers Terrance O'Brien, Matthew Hudak and John Cichy. Some combination of the three were named in 11 previously settled lawsuits as well.

All of the lawsuits - along with four still pending and another voluntarily dismissed - have alleged some combination of false arrest, illegal search or malicious prosecution committed by the three former officers, Schaumburg attorney Jim Sotos said.

Neodina's lawsuit states the defendants supplied false information to a judge to obtain a search warrant for his residence. That led to him being incarcerated at the Cook County jail, the lawsuit states. The suit alleges false arrest, failure to intervene, civil conspiracy and malicious prosecution.

The 12 settlements have cost the village a total of $226,000. Sotos said Schaumburg officials believe they could defend the village in court on every case, but settling out of court costs less than proceeding to trial.

Neodina's lawsuit also named three other members of the police department - Alan Takei, Tom Greenaway and Officer (no first name included) Schmitt - as defendants. Their addition did not significantly alter the village's decision to pursue a settlement, Sotos said.

O'Brien and Hudak have pleaded guilty to felony charges and are serving prison sentences. Cichy is awaiting trial.

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