Police union to pay legal bills of Jon Burge

The union representing Chicago's police officers will help pay the legal bills of a former detective commander who faces federal charges of lying about torturing prisoners.

Fraternal Order of Police President Mark Donahue says the union's board voted Tuesday to provide funds for Jon Burge's defense.

Burge was charged in October with lying under oath on written questions in a civil lawsuit when he denied knowing about or taking part in the torture of suspects in the 1970s and 1980s. He has pleaded not guilty to federal perjury and obstruction-of-justice charges.

Burge is facing a potential million-dollar legal bill. City lawyers handled his defense in civil lawsuits, but will have no role in his criminal defense.

Lawyer Flint Taylor has represented several men allegedly tortured. He calls the union's decision to help Burge outrageous.