A Chicago police officer has found himself on the wrong side of the law after the Illinois Attorney General's office slapped him with bribery and official misconduct charges. Officer Alain M. Dillon, 37, stands accused of accepting cash in exchange for the use of his department-issued encrypted radio, raising questions about the integrity of those who are sworn to uphold it.
Attorney General Kwame Raoul's office brought the charges, which include three counts of bribery and fifteen counts of official misconduct, as announced in a press release. These charges could lead Dillon to up to seven years in prison for each bribery count, and up to five years for each official misconduct count, although sentences will ultimately be determined by the court. Dillon has pleaded not guilty to the allegations and is expected back in court on March 9, according to the Illinois Attorney General's news release.
In a statement made by the Illinois Attorney General's news release, Raoul expressed the severity of such violations, stating, "Members of law enforcement are rightfully held to a higher standard, making it especially egregious when an officer breaks the law for their own financial gain." Raoul emphasized his commitment to partnering with local law enforcement to "hold accountable those who use their positions of authority to betray the public’s trust."
The allegation specifies that Dillon accepted $500 on multiple occasions from an individual for the personal use of his police-issued encrypted radio. The predisposition and investigation into these charges was jointly conducted by the Chicago Police Department and the Illinois Attorney General's office. While the charges paint a damning picture, it's crucial to remember that Dillon remains presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Assistant Attorney General Samantha Cain is at the helm of prosecuting this case for Raoul’s Special Prosecutions Bureau.
