Pubdate: 31 March 1999
Source: Chicago Tribune (IL)
Copyright: 1999 Chicago Tribune Company
Contact:  http://www.chicagotribune.com/
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Author: Matt O'Connor

SHAKEDOWN TRIAL BEGINS FOR EX-CADET

Robert Bailey was only a 20-year-old cadet on the Maywood Park District
Police Department when he helped two more veteran officers shake down a
suspected cocaine dealer in 1996, prosecutors alleged Tuesday.

One of the other officers, Michael Broome, had been caught extorting money
from a citizen in 1995, agreed to cooperate with authorities and was wearing
a hidden recorder during the shakedown. And the drug dealer who was robbed
of $1,200 was actually an undercover FBI agent.

Authorities captured the holdup on audio tape and videotape, Assistant U.S.
Atty. Zaldwaynaka Scott told jurors Tuesday at the start of Bailey's trial
in federal court.

The third officer in the shakedown, ex-Lt. Charles Jones pleaded guilty to
attempted robbery in January and will testify against Bailey, according to
Scott and co-prosecutor Virginia Kendall.

In opening remarks, Bailey's lawyer, William Hooks, asked jurors to reserve
judgment "as to who is really corrupt," hinting he might portray the
youthful Bailey as an innocent among two more veteran, corrupt cops.

Bailey, 24, of Maywood, is charged with one count each of attempted robbery
and using a firearm during the holdup.

When he joined the now-disbanded park police force in March 1995, Bailey was
20 and too young to become a part-time officer, testified Henry Bey, the
department's former chief. The park board created the post of cadet for Bailey.

As a cadet, Bailey didn't have power to make arrests, Bey said. He usually
worked in the office but sometimes rode with officers.

By January 1996, Bailey wasn't hesitant to join in the shakedown of someone
he believed to be a drug dealer, prosecutors alleged. When Broome asked if
he wanted to join in on the robbery, prosecutors quoted Bailey as
responding, "Deal me in."

The three officers robbed the undercover FBI agent in Bosco Park, even
forcing him to drop his pants as they searched for more cash, Scott told jurors.

Unbeknownst to the others, Jones stole $500 of the loot at the scene and
later split the remaining $700 with Broome and Bailey, prosecutors alleged.

"There is no honor among thieves," Scott said.

With Broome wearing the hidden recorder, Bailey was picked up on tape
counting out the $700 in a car as the other two officers looked on. The
officers were laughing--happy with their successful robbery, Scott said.

According to prosecutors, Bailey admitted taking part in the robbery when he
was interviewed at his home by agents from the FBI and Illinois State Police.

Broome and Jones have agreed to testify for the government in return for
promises of more lenient sentences.

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