Anti-Gay Cop Operating In the Heart of Chicago’s Gay Community Called to Account in Seven Federal Suits

Submitted by: Attorney Jon Erickson and Andy Thayer, co-founder, Gay Liberation Network

April 2, 2009  – In a new lawsuit filed April 2 by this story’s author’s, Chicago Police Officer Richard Fiorito is accused of ringing up false charges against lesbian and gay drivers in the heart of the gay North Halsted entertainment district so frequently, that behind his back, his fellow officers disparaged the charges to the people he pulled over.

According to several people Fiorito pulled over, the transport officer from the 23rd to the 19th Districts routinely informs defendants that “Fiorito is an overtime whore and the arrestee should get a lawyer.” No official action has been taken to curb Fiorito, 60, who is assigned to the 23rd District “Town Hall” police station at Addison and Halsted. Fiorito is among the state’s highest writers of DUI tickets and arrested over 300 people for DUI last year according to Attorney Jon Erickson.

On Thursday, four more federal lawsuits were to be filed against Fiorito, in addition to three already filed, The lawsuits allege that he targets lesbians and gays, frequently using anti-gay epithets during arrests, and occasionally excessive force when he files charges against them. Attorney Jon Erickson says that as many as 11 more similar suits will be filed against Fiorito over the next six weeks.

In two separate cases of lesbians arrested by Fiorito, the lock-up officers at the Belmont and Western 19th District station made entries on the arrest report that directly contradict Officer Fiorito’s account. In one report, the lock-up officer wrote that the subject was “not under the influence of alcohol/drugs,” and that “Chicago Police Officer Neita was unable to detect the smell of alcohol coming from subject.” In another report, the lock-up officer wrote, “arrestee entered women’s lockup she seems to be fine at this time is speaking clearly,” according to an arrest report.

In two other cases, lawsuits allege Fiorito insisted on conducting field sobriety test that test the subject’s ability to listen to and follow instructions even though the arrestees told Fiorito they are deaf. Lawyers claim Fiorito made bogus arrests to rack up overtime pay by appearing in court when he wasn’t on duty.

Some of Fiorito’s alleged victims, their attorneys and community activists with the Gay Liberation Network will hold a press conference at 11 a.m., Thursday, April 2 in the lobby of the Dirksen Federal Court Building, 219 S. Dearborn Street, Chicago. For more information, contact Attorney Jon Erickson, Erickson & Oppenheimer Attorneys at Law, 773.875.4646 or Andy Thayer, co-founder, Gay Liberation Network (www.GayLiberation.net), 773.209.1187.