By Stefano Esposito
The Chicago Sun-Times
CHICAGO — When it came to deciding who got to tow vehicles from accident scenes in his district, it was Chicago Police Officer Juan Prado’s way or the highway, federal prosecutors say.
Prado, 45, was charged Thursday with three counts of attempted extortion. U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Sidney Schenkier ordered Prado released on personal recognizance. Federal prosecutors say that in August and October 2006, Prado solicited a total of $1,100 in cash bribes from a tow truck operator who was secretly working for the FBI.
Prado, assigned to the 14th District, allegedly would call a favored tow truck driver shortly after an accident. In some cases, Prado would order rival tow companies to leave, even if their truck had arrived first, prosecutors allege.
Prado, a Chicago cop since 1999, has been stripped of his police powers.
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