Chicago Police Union Vice President Martin Preib is calling for a federal investigation into Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s handling of the Jussie Smollett case, telling Fox News’ Martha MacCallum that “something very dark and suspicious” was behind the decision to drop all charges against the hate-crime hoaxer.
“You know, this is not the first time we’ve attacked the Foxx administration since she came into office,” Preib added. “There’s a lot here that investigative reporters definitely need to work with and we definitely believe that federal authorities should investigate what happened here.”
Preib claimed that Foxx had pulled the same maneuver in several other “key cases,” and noted that the national media was getting a good look at how the criminal justice system “doesn’t work in Chicago.”
“It’s ludicrous. It’s ridiculous — but that’s the reality of things in Chicago,” he said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Preib told the Chicago Sun-Times: “The conduct of her office from the very beginning of this case was highly, highly suspicious.”
He added: “The entire country is outraged by it. The evidence is overwhelming that he was legitimately charged in this case. This decision [to drop the charges] appears to be utterly arbitrary, capricious and suspicious.”
Even Mayor Rahm Emanuel was appalled by the decision: “From top to bottom, this is not on the level,” the mayor said.
Now, “Mr. Smollett is still saying he is innocent, still running down the Chicago Police Department. How dare he? How dare he?” Emanuel added. “Is there no decency in this man?”
Police Supt. Eddie Johnson said: “If you want to say you are innocent, you take your day in court… I would never hide behind a brokered deal.”
Asked why he believes the charges were dropped, Preib told the Chicago Sun-Times: “I have my dark suspicions, but it’s not appropriate to give voice to them just yet.”
