Friday, August 21, 2009

Former Officer Michael Ciancio Pleads Guilty to Extortion

A former Chicago police officer has been sentenced to two years in prison for taking cash from a tow-truck driver to help him beat rivals to accident scenes.

Prosecutors say veteran officer Michael Ciancio got $600 to $800 a week from 2005 to 2007 from a tow-truck driver who was working undercover with the FBI.

Ciancio is accused of using scare tactics, including the threat of arrest, to chase away other tow-truck drivers.

The 21-year veteran pleaded guilty in January to attempted extortion for taking cash one time in 2007.

But two tow-truck drivers who testified at his sentencing say he'd been shaking down truck operators since the 1990s.

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Information from: Chicago Tribune, http://www.chicagotribune.com

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