Judge tosses alleged sexual harassment lawsuit against former Chicago top cop
CHICAGO — A federal judge has tossed out a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment against former Chicago Police Department superintendent Eddie Johnson, according to court documents obtained by WGN News.
Judge Elain Bucklo issued an opinion Wednesday dismissing all claims in the lawsuit, which was filed four years ago against the City of Chicago and Johnson alleging he sexually harassed and discriminated former CPD officer Cynthia Donald.
“Eddie Johnson repeatedly abused and harassed me and made it clear I had to follow his orders, which included unwanted sexual activity in order to keep my job,” Donald said four years ago when the lawsuit was filed. “The Chicago Police Department and City of Chicago need to be held accountable for what happened to me and what is likely happening to other female officers.”
Donald served as Johnson’s driver and was with him the night of the infamous Oct. 2019 incident when the then-superintendent was found slumped over the wheel of his SUV, to which afterward he admitted to having drinks with Donald that night.
“Though Donald presents some evidence that could be construed as signals to Johnson that his conduct was unwelcome,” Bucklo wrote in her opinion. “It is overwhelmed by evidence to the contrary.”
The full opinion and order written by Bucklo can be read at the bottom of this article.
Bucklo wrote that evidence, like text messages and photos showed “the relationship between Donald and Johnson was consensual.”
According to the court document, Donald sent Johnson explicit texts, telling him that she loved him.
Donald went on to tell Bucklo she was intimidated by Johnson and sought to appease him to avoid harm and keep her job.
An attorney representing Johnson shared the following statement with WGN News:
“Mr. Johnson is extremely pleased and grateful for Court’s Ruling today dismissing Ms. Donald’s claims. The Court clearly got it right and applied a common sense analysis. Mr. Johnson has always owned up to and acknowledged that he engaged in a consensual relationship with Ms. Donald.”
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