Schaumburg settles 14th lawsuit against former cops

Schaumburg has settled its 14th lawsuit filed against three former undercover officers arrested on drug conspiracy charges three years ago, and only two such lawsuits are still pending.

The most recent settlement is the largest at $60,000, but only because the lawsuit was unique in having multiple plaintiffs -- Robert Thomas, Russell Thomas and Curtis Lee -- according to Schaumburg's attorney, Jim Sotos.

As with the previous settlements, the village is not admitting any wrongdoing on the part of any past or present employees, Sotos said. Rather, the settlements are a more cost-effective way for the village to dispose of the lawsuits against three former officers whose credibility in court has been damaged by the charges against them, he said.