Cook County Prosecutor Fired For Lying About Cop Shooting Case
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A Cook County prosecutor has been fired after allegations he lied under oath over his handling of the investigation into the shooting of a Chicago police officer three-years ago.
During a hearing this afternoon, prosecutors acknowledged testimony by Assistant State's Attorney Joseph Lattanzio "had not been accurate" and that he was no longer employed by the office.
A spokesman for the state's attorney's office says Lattanzio has been fired and the office plans to review all his cases.
The false testimony centers on the shooting of Chicago police officer Del Pearson. Further details were not immediately available.
Pearson was severely wounded on March 19, 2012 when he was shot in the chest while chasing a suspect in the South Chicago neighborhood. He was hospitalized for eight days after losing nearly two-thirds of his blood.
Police say an alleged gang member, Paris Sadler, shot Pearson with a 9 mm handgun during a foot chase near the 8400 block of South Kingston Avenue.
Cook County States Attorney Anita Alvarez on Monday said the foundation of criminal justice is truth.
"We absolutely demand it from all of our prosecutors," she said.
The issue centers Lattanzio's testimony about a statement by Sadler's mother and a newly surfaced recording made on the mother's iPad.
"What he testified in court under oath contradicts what we have now heard on this recording," Alvarez said.
Podcast
The suspect's mother said the statement she provided had corrections and edits. But the statement Lattanzio produced in court did not, raising questions about whether it was her real statement. But Alvarez wouldn't give any more details citing the ongoing court action.
She has referred the case against the prosecutor for criminal prosecution.
Alvarez downplayed the impact on the case against Sadler.
"There's a chance we'll lose evidence. The case is still viable. It's going on."
