Cost of Chicago police probe reaches $5.7 million

The running tab for legal and consulting fees tied to the U.S. Justice Department Investigation of the Chicago Police Department has reached $5.7 million - and that's not counting fees incurred since Mayor Rahm Emanuel drafted a memorandum of agreement in hopes of avoiding federal court oversight.

The cost, up from $4.4 million in March, is certain to rise even higher as invoices and expenses get submitted, negotiations with the Justice Department drag on, and the city defends itself against a class-action lawsuit filed by lawyers for Black Lives Matter Chicago and other community groups seeking federal oversight over the Chicago Police Department.

The lawsuit accused Emanuel of reneging on his January commitment to negotiate a consent decree and, instead, of attempting to cut a "backroom deal" with Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who opposes court oversight over local police departments.

For more, check chicago.suntimes.com.