By Lisa Donovan
The Chicago Sun-Times
CHICAGO — A onetime Chicago cop is suing his old bosses for defamation, alleging they bad-mouthed him after he sought post-retirement work as a federal court security officer.
Donald J. Petersen Jr. was a nearly 40-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department, retiring from the force in 2009 and shortly after applying for a position with the U.S. Marshal’s office in Chicago’s Dirksen Federal Building, according to the lawsuit filed Monday in Cook County Circuit Court.
But when Petersen didn’t get the position, he requested a copy of the background check performed, according to the slander and defamation suit.
In correspondence from U.S. Marshals Service, one staffer writes to another that Petersen’s old boss “did not recommend Mr. Petersen for employment because he is moody and does not always follow instructions.”
The correspondence -- citing information from Petersen’s bosses -- also noted he was suspended several times, including once for improperly detonating an explosive in a Dumpster.
“None of the stated allegations or charges made by Defendants to the U.S. Marshal’s Office were true,” the suit states.
Neither Petersen’s lawyer nor his old bosses -- Michael Gerhardstein and Peter Fegan -- could be reached for comment Monday afternoon.
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