Ex-Chicago police officer charged with corruption

A former Chicago police officer is accused of attempting to extort a tow truck owner and selling firearms to the man, who is a felon.

Ali Haleem is the 11th person charged as part of Operation Tow Scam, a federal probe of bribery and extortion involving Chicago police officers and towing truck operators that began in 2008.

The 45-year-old Haleem was charged Monday with one count of attempted extortion and two counts of selling firearms to a felon. No date has been set yet for his arraignment in U.S. District Court.

According to the charges, between March 13 and 20, 2008, Haleem attempted to extort a tow truck operator who was cooperating with law enforcement at the time.

It wasn’t immediately known if Haleem has an attorney.