Ex-Chicago Cop Avoids Prison For Role In Mortgage Fraud Scheme
CHICAGO (STMW) -- A former Chicago police officer who faced up to 16 months in prison for his role in a mortgage fraud scheme was sentenced to three years of probation.
Erroll Davis had pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return.
In announcing that Davis would avoid prison, Judge Samuel Der-Yeghiayan noted Davis' remorse and his cooperation with the prosecution.
"You messed up, but you've done so much good …," the judge said. "Continue with the good, and put this behind you and go thank your wife."
Der-Yeghiayan also expressed astonishment at the sheer number of letters he received from Davis' supporters.
"The letters are a testament to the character and type of individual Mr. Davis is," the judge said.
Davis' prosecution resulted from the corruption case involving disgraced former Country Club Hills Police Chief Regina Evans and the former CEO of the failed Citizens Bank, Robert Michael.
Prosecutors had said Michael and Evans pulled off a mortgage scam with help from Davis. Davis pleaded guilty in 2013, weeks after he'd been indicted with Michael. Evans was sentenced in a separate case to five years in prison for stealing more than $900,000 in state grant money. While implicated in the case against Michael, she was not charged.
Michael, however, was acquitted in January after being tried for alleged fraud, lies and money laundering tied to a real estate deal with Evans. Prosecutors said the transaction was meant to generate cash for Evans' entertainment business, and it ultimately funneled $634,000 into bank accounts they controlled.
The jury found Michael innocent on all counts.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2016. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
