Alderman Jim Gardiner and Ward Superintendent Charles Sikanich in Federal Court on Civil Rights Violations
On November 23, 2020, it was announced that, Alderman Jim Gardiner, his 45th Ward Superintendent, and the Chicago Police Department are being sued in federal court after allegedly lying to police, filing a false police report, having a man falsely arrested, harassment, and violating this man’s civil rights.
The gist appears to be the Ward Superintendent, Charles Sikanich, forgot his phone at a 7–11. Another man picked it up, went to work, and on his way to the police station to drop it off, Sikanich and Gardiner launched into a completely irrational campaign of intimidation against this man. He was falsely arrested and evicted from his residence after Gardiner/Sikanich continued to harass his roommate (confirmed his roommate is CFD, so no wonder he felt extra pressure). Sure makes you what was on that phone that they went so psychotic over it, eh?
The lawsuit alleges six counts:
1. False Arrest and Unlawful Seizure, including an officer quoted as saying, “I believe you, I wasn’t going to arrest you, but this person [Alderman Gardiner] has power and I have bosses.”
2. Equal Protection — Gardiner and Sikanich allegedly acted as vigilante police officers, threatening the plaintiff and his roommate to the point the plaintiff was forced to move out of the residence.
3. Due Process — Gardiner and Sikanich deprived Plaintiff of constitutionally protected interests, including baseless prosecution, freedom from arbitrary government action, and false arrest after Sikanich filed a false police report at Gardiner’s direction.
4. Malicious Prosecution — Sikanich, Gardiner, and CPD acted with malice in commencing criminal prosecution without cause.
5. Conspiracy to Commit Malicious Prosecution — Sikanich, Gardiner, and CPD acted in concert, conspiring to inflict injury by maliciously prosecuting the Plaintiff.
6. Indemnification — Sikanich, Gardiner, and CPD did all of this as employees of the City of Chicago so we’re now going to be stuck with the legal bills for these abusive thugs.
You can read the full criminal complaint here.
