The Associated Press
CHICAGO- Six inmates have been charged with escape, battery and arson for breaking out of the Cook County Jail, allegedly with the help of a guard bent on embarrassing the sheriff.
A seventh inmate who never left the jail was charged Thursday with attempted escape, said Tom Stanton, spokesman for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office.
The guard who was on duty at the time, Darin Gater, has been charged with several felony counts for allegedly helping orchestrate the plot.
Sheriff’s officials have said Gater told investigators he wanted to influence the upcoming election by embarrassing Sheriff Michael Sheahan. Gater has proclaimed his innocence, and his attorneys say the statements were coerced.
The inmates were scheduled to appear in bond court Friday afternoon.