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US alleges ex-Teamster official extorted Chicago film studio

Posted September 22, 2017 7:00 am

The Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) - A former Teamsters Union official already accused of extortion has been hit with a superseding federal indictment alleging he extorted $325,000 from a Chicago film studio since 2014.

John Coli Jr. originally was accused in July of extorting $100,000 from Cinespace Chicago Film Studio dating back to July 2016. The studio is where the NBC series "Chicago Fire" and "Chicago P.D." are produced.

The indictment of Coli announced Friday also allege he didn't make proper reports to the U.S. Labor Department and under-reported his income on his federal taxes.

Coli has denied any wrongdoing.

According to the charges, the federal government seeks the forfeiture of the $325,000 Coli allegedly extorted. If Coli cannot come up with the cash, the government wants to seize his home in Chicago's upscale Lakeview neighborhood.

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