Cop Accused of Falsely Arresting Drivers for DUI, Harassing Gay Motorists

Chicago - Anger and frustration quickly reached a boiling point at Thursday’s Police Board hearing when people got a chance to speak out about Officer Richard Fiorito.

The Town Hall District officer is accused of targeting gays and lesbians and falsely arresting drivers for DUI, so he could get overtime in court.

It’s about time he be fired and criminal charges be filed against him, yelled protest organizer Andy Thayer with the Gay Liberation Network.

In an obvious play to the television cameras, Thayer threw copies of the civil lawsuits on the floor in front of Superintendent Jody Weis.

At least 35 people have now sued Fiorito in Federal court claiming civil rights violations. So far the police department has not moved to fire Fiorito, but he has been reassigned to desk duty pending the investigations.

At the police board meeting nearly two dozen protesters held signs demanding that Fiorito be fired. Chad Hudson says Fiorito falsely charged him with DUI in January.

"My life was forever changed due Mr. Fiorito's personal beliefs which interfered with his honest performance of his job I am now a felon. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that one bad Chicago cop could change my life so completely and negatively," Hudson said.

Activists also are demanding accountability for any of Fioritos fellow officers who knew about his alleged actions and did not report him.

Superintendent Jody Weis said Fiorito’s cases are being investigated.

“It’s a grand jury investigation, there’s civil litigation, so I really can’t put much out on that,” Weis said.