Controversial Police Union Boss Faces New Misconduct Charge

CHICAGO — Police Supt. David Brown filed paperwork with the police board Wednesday calling for embattled police union boss John Catanzara's termination.

The new charges against Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 president claim Catanzara filed a false police report claiming former top cop Eddie Johnson was a trespasser on state land when he joined protestors blocking Dan Ryan Expressway lanes in July 2018. Catanzara also was accused of filing a false police report against a supervisor, who once was his boss, for "obstructing justice" in November 2018.

The charges are the third time Catanzara has faced termination for misconduct. Two separate police superintendents were unsuccessful in firing him for violating department rules. Former top cop Garry McCarthy made an unsuccessful attempt to get Catanzara fired for lying about working a second job.

In December, the Chicago Office of Police Accountability recommended Catanzara be fired over a series of rants on his personal Facebook page, including a call to "kill these m------------," and "Savages they all deserve a bullet." Supt. Brown disagreed with COPA's finding and instead recommended a one-year suspension.

The new charges filed Wednesday amount to an about face by Brown, who now seeks to have Catanzara fired.

The allegations do not make reference to Catanzara's most recent controversial comments to WBEZ reporter Chip Mitchell downplaying the mob attack on the U.S. Capitol earlier this month. Catanzara said that it's "ridiculous and ignorant" to compare mayhem at the nation's Capitol to the widespread destruction inspired by civil unrest this summer "all across the country all summer long in Democratic-ran cities."

"There was no arson. There was no burning of anything. There was no looting. There was very little destruction of property. It was a bunch of pissed-off people that feel an election was stolen, somehow, some way," Catanzara said during the radio interview. He later apologized for his comments on the U.S. Capitol insurrection.

Catanzara declined to comment on the new charges.

A police board status hearing on the charges is set for February 23.