The Associated Press
CHICAGO — The name of Lieutenant Jon Burge has dogged Chicago and its police department for years.
It was there whenever there were allegations of police brutality or police mistreatment of suspects. It was there when the city and police talked about changes and reforms.
Today, Chicago officials announced that four former death row inmates would divide nearly $20 million to settle lawsuits claiming they’d been tortured by Burge and his men.
Alderman Ed Smith says the settlement communicates to the public that mistakes were made and the city is trying to clear the situation up and start the healing process.
Burge was fired by the police department in 1993 after a suspect in the murder of 2 officers allegedly was abused while in his custody.