Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced charges against two Chicago police officers and a former Cook County assistant state’s attorney over their alleged participation in a scheme to fraudulently collect more than $100,000 in overtime benefits.
Police officers Jason Arroyo, 40, and Edis Skrgic, 35, both of Chicago, and former Assistant State’s Attorney Ashley Moore, 46, of McCall, Idaho, were arraigned today in Cook County Circuit Court. Each defendant is charged with two counts of theft of governmental property over $100,000, Class X felonies punishable by up to 30 years in prison, and two counts of official misconduct, Class 3 felonies punishable by up to five years in prison.
Moore was also charged with an additional count of official misconduct, a Class 3 felony punishable by up to five years in prison, and one count of obstructing justice, a Class 4 felony punishable by up to three years in prison.
Sentences are ultimately determined by the court. All three defendants pleaded not guilty, and their next court date is scheduled for Sept. 17.
“As public servants responsible for enforcing the rule of law, prosecutors and members of law enforcement must be held to a higher standard. That is why allegations of fraud and misconduct are especially egregious,” Raoul said. “No one is above the law, and I will continue to hold individuals accountable who use their positions of authority for their own financial benefit.”
The Attorney General’s office alleges that on more than 100 occasions Moore notified Arroyo and Skrgic to appear at the state’s attorney’s office allegedly to listen to prisoner phone calls on cases Moore was involved in prosecuting on behalf of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. According to Raoul’s office, in most cases where Moore notified Arroyo and Skrgic to appear neither officer had any prior involvement in the case. In addition Raoul’s office alleges neither officer authored any reports related to listening to the prisoner calls or inventoried any recordings into Chicago Police Department evidence despite department policy.
In total Arroyo and Skrgic are alleged to have collected more than $100000 in fraudulent overtime.
The public is reminded that the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Deputy Bureau Chief Jonathan McKay and Supervising Attorney Daniel Weiler are prosecuting the case for Raoul's Criminal Prosecutions and Trials Assistance Bureau.
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