Chicago Cop Charged With Extortion, Illegally Dealing Guns

Thin blue line

A former Chicago police officer whose undercover work led to charges in separate public corruption probes was himself charged Monday with extorting a tow truck operator and selling firearms to a convicted felon.

Ali Haleem becomes the 11th Chicago police officer charged in a tow truck scandal in which officers steered business to drivers for kickbacks, federal prosecutors said.

According to court records and sources, Haleem worked undercover after federal authorities confronted him about the extortion in 2008, secretly recording conversations. His cooperation led to charges against a onetime campaign treasurer for former state Sen. Ricky Hendon and six others on charges they paid kickbacks in hopes of securing thousands of dollars in federal grants. Hendon was not charged.

(H/T sloopyinca)