Source: Chicago Tribune (IL)
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Copyright: 1998 Chicago Tribune Company
Pubdate: 22 Dec 1998
Author: Matt O'Connor
Section: Metro Chicago

EX-PARK DISTRICT COP ACQUITTED IN SHAKEDOWN

MAYWOOD -- A federal jury on Monday acquitted a former officer with the
Maywood Park District Police Department of charges he shared in a $2,000
payoff from a purported drug dealer in 1996.

An attorney for Andre Williams contended that the officer's partner, who
was then cooperating with authorities, had pocketed the $2,000 for himself
while misleading the FBI to think he had split half with Williams.

The jury's verdict came despite the fact that authorities had audio tape
and videotape of the payoff, the cooperation of the partner and the
purported drug dealer was an undercover agent.

Williams, 31, of Maywood was acquitted of attempted extortion and using a
firearm in the commission of a violent felony.

According to James A. Payonk Jr., the attorney for Williams, there was no
dispute over whether the agent handed over $2,000. The issue was whether
Williams had shared in the cash or his partner, Michael Broome, had
pocketed the entire amount.

Broome was then cooperating with authorities and wearing a hidden recorder
after he was caught extorting money from a citizen in 1995.

Prosecutors argued that Broome and Williams were partners who regularly
shook down suspected drug dealers in Maywood.

In the alleged shakedown of the undercover agent in February 1996, tape
recordings indicated Williams wanted to call in police dogs to search the
drug dealer's car, but Broome stopped him, Payonk said.

After the extortion, there was an 8-minute period during which Broome was
unaccounted for, suggesting that was when he could have pocketed the entire
$2,000 for himself, according to Payonk.

The Maywood Park District police force has since been disbanded. 
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Checked-by: Mike Gogulski