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New controversy has erupted in the case of former police Cmdr. Jon Burge as the Fraternal Order of Police has announced they will pay for Burge's defense, a bill the Trib speculates could reach as much as $1 million. Burge was charged in October with perjury and obstruction of justice in connection with charges of police torture.
FOP President Mark Donahue confirmed that the union board voted Tuesday to provide funds for Burge's defense. But Donahue declined to comment further Thursday, saying he would have a more complete statement on the issue Friday.Attorney Flint Taylor, who is representing one of the torture victims, expressed anger with the decision, saying, "I think it's outrageous, and it continues a sordid and racist [history for] the FOP of defending police torture in the city." So far, costs connected to the torture cases have cost the city millions of dollars, including $30 million in settlements so far and $7 million on a prosecutors report that took four years to put together and, when released in 2006, said that while some of torture allegations were true, the statue of limitations had expired so Burge and other accused officers could not face criminal charges. [Trib, S-T]Referring to the FOP board's decision, Burge, who lives in Florida, said, "I don't have anything to do with what they vote."
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This was the most shamefull thing I have read about this city in a long time and I have read alot. Rank and file police officers should be outraged
I think it's great that the cop union will pay for Burge's defense.
Maybe when the rank & file cops realize their union is pissing their money away defending a disgusting pile of shit like Burge, they'll also realize that torture doesn't won't as a method of determining guilt!
Actually Scooter Libya, the irony is that the Cops are actually paying three times from the Chicago settlement for Burges torture crimes, the Cook County settlement that's on the way, including the fact that States Attorney initially defended Burge, and now this. Can you imagine how much this has costed us all told?!
As a progressive, I have zero problem with someone's union defending them.
Don't get me wrong, I hate Burge and have for years, but that's kind of what unions are there for. It is possible to think both a. he is a loathsome dirtball and b. his union should still defend him and c. better that than the city ponying up, as they did many times before.
Uhm Dino, they are defending an already fired cop.
He is no longer on the force, they made a especially exception for this.
p.s also the union is only for officers below the rank of Sergeant
@Spook:
My godfather is a cop and retired about 4 years back. He was a desk sgt and knew of Burge from "back in the day".
He's called him a "fat slug and a grade-A shitbird" on more than one occasion. I assure you, he's not the only one pissed as all get out over this nonsense.
The least Burge could do is pop his clogs and have a grabber. Save everyone time and money.
Next time the F.O.P. comes calling for donations, they'll get an even faster hang up from me.
happyfunball, my thoughts exactly. Except instead of just saying "no thank you" or simply hanging up, I will now let them know exactly why I will not be contributing.
BURGE IS MY HERO GOD BLESS JON BURGE