The Latest: Johnson says he didn’t ‘intentionally mislead’
CHICAGO (AP) — The Latest on the firing of Chicago’s police chief (all times local):
1:15 p.m.
Ousted Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson says he did not “intentionally mislead or deceive” anyone about a mid-October night where he was found asleep in his car.
Johnson released a statement through his attorney on Tuesday, saying he acknowledges that he made a “poor decision” and had a “lapse of judgment.”
Mayor Lori Lightfoot fired Johnson on Monday for “ethical lapses,” just weeks before he was set to retire. She didn’t give specifics, citing an ongoing investigation and fairness to his family.
Johnson publicly blamed an issue with his medication and told Lightfoot he’d had “a couple of drinks with dinner.” Two Chicago newspapers citing sources they’re not identifying are reporting that the city’s fired police chief was having drinks with a woman for hours the night officers found him hunched over the wheel of his SUV.
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11:30 a.m.
Chicago’s interim police chief says he’s getting oriented in the job, a day after Superintendent Eddie Johnson was fired and he took over the post.
Interim Superintendent Charlie Beck addressed reporters Tuesday at an unrelated police department news conference. The former Los Angeles police chief says he spent Monday meeting with members of the department in hopes of a smooth transition.
He says accountability and public trust are essential to policing.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot fired Johnson Monday for “ethical lapses” surrounding a mid-October night when he was found asleep in his car.
Beck says he and Johnson are friends and will continue talking. Beck says the former superintendent has the “best interest of the city” and police department at heart.
When asked about the firing, Beck said everyone makes mistakes and people have to live with their errors.
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10:20 a.m.
Two Chicago newspapers citing sources they’re not identifying are reporting that the city’s fired police chief was having drinks with a woman for hours the night officers found him hunched over the wheel of his SUV.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot fired Superintendent Eddie Johnson on Monday for “ethical lapses,” just weeks before he was set to retire. She didn’t give specifics, citing an ongoing investigation and fairness to his family.
The Chicago Sun-Times reports he was drinking with a female member of his security detail. The Chicago Tribune published a similar report that doesn’t identify the woman other than to say it wasn’t his wife.
Johnson publicly blamed an issue with his medication and told Lightfoot he’d had “a couple of drinks with dinner.”
Messages left Tuesday with city and police spokesmen weren’t immediately returned.
