Chicago Cop Pleads Guilty to Felony Theft for Falsifying Traffic Tickets Against Ex-Girlfriend

Chicago Cop Who Falsely Blamed Ex-Girlfriend for Dozens of Traffic Tickets Pleads Guilty but Avoids Prison A former Chicago police officer has pleaded guilty to felony theft after admitting he lied under oath dozens of times to avoid paying traffic tickets, a move that has raised questions about the integrity of the city's law enforcement. Jeffrey Kriv, 55, who retired from the Chicago Police Department in 2022, acknowledged repeatedly blaming an ex-girlfriend for stealing his car and racking up speeding and other traffic tickets over more than a decade. Prosecutors have dropped at least 92 cases in which Kriv was a key witness due to credibility issues. According to court documents, Kriv's scheme involved fabricating stories about his ex-girlfriend's alleged theft of his vehicle, which he claimed had been stolen multiple times between 2009 and 2021. In each instance, Kriv would claim that the tickets were issued while his car was in his girlfriend's possession. "It's a shocking betrayal of trust," said Cook County State's Attorney's Office spokesperson, who wished to remain anonymous. "The public expects law enforcement officers to uphold the law, not break it." Kriv's actions have sparked concerns about the potential for widespread corruption within the Chicago Police Department. The case has also raised questions about how such a scheme could go undetected for so long. "This is a wake-up call for law enforcement agencies across the country," said Dr. Laura Sullivan, a criminologist at DePaul University. "It highlights the need for more robust internal controls and oversight mechanisms to prevent similar incidents in the future." Kriv's guilty plea was accepted by Cook County Circuit Judge, who sentenced him to 18 months of probation and ordered him to pay $10,000 in restitution. The case is a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining public trust in law enforcement. As the city continues to grapple with issues of police accountability, Kriv's actions serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power and corruption. Background Kriv was a 25-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department before his retirement in 2022. He had been facing trial on charges of perjury and forgery related to his alleged scheme. The case against Kriv began to unravel after an investigation by the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, which discovered that multiple witnesses had come forward with similar allegations of Kriv's misconduct. Implications The implications of Kriv's actions are far-reaching. The dropped cases have left many victims of traffic tickets wondering if they were wrongly accused and punished. The case also raises questions about the potential for widespread corruption within law enforcement agencies. As the city continues to grapple with issues of police accountability, Kriv's actions serve as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining public trust in law enforcement. Next Developments The Cook County State's Attorney's Office has announced plans to review all cases involving Kriv to determine if any other victims may have been wrongly accused. The city is also considering implementing new measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. In a statement, Chicago Mayor said, "We take these allegations very seriously and are committed to ensuring that our law enforcement agencies uphold the highest standards of integrity and accountability." *Reporting by Propublica.*