Overview
- The inspector general’s quarterly report, released Wednesday, sustained findings that nine police officers and an aldermanic staffer used false claims to obtain forgivable Paycheck Protection Program loans totaling about $284,000.
- The Chicago Police Department said it will move to fire eight currently employed officers named in the report, while one officer resigned during the inquiry and the watchdog urged do-not-hire designations.
- In one detailed case, an officer secured two PPP loans worth $41,666, filed false forgiveness paperwork, lied during the CPD hiring process, skipped an interview with investigators, and then resigned.
- OIG investigators said an aldermanic employee lied on a $20,833 PPP loan and forgiveness application, then filed false police and Small Business Administration reports claiming identity theft, and the supervising alderman has yet to commit to discipline.
- Witzburg said her team prioritized police cases because officers testify and credibility is critical, and she added that more city reviews are coming as federal prosecutors continue pursuing larger PPP fraud schemes.