Chicago "Top Cop" Arraigned for Lying in DUI Case

By Daniel Hawn

Published on April 30, 2008

Officer John Haleas pleaded not guilty in Cook County Circuit Court on Tuesday to charges stemming from the arrest of a drunken driver in April 2005. According to prosecutors, during the traffic stop, Haleas failed to conduct a field sobriety test and, later, lied on official reports to make it appear that he had followed police protocol.

Last month, Haleas was charged with multiple counts of perjury, official misconduct, and obstructing justice. The charges resulted from an investigation that began after Haleas' reports were found to contradict the testimony of two prosecutors who had been accompanying Haleas on the night of the arrest as part of their training.

As a result of the charges, the case against the drunken driver, as well as 156 of Haleas' previous DUI arrests, has been dismissed. In addition, Haleas has been relieved of his police powers by the department.

Commenting on the case, Haleas' attorney said the arrest of the driver was appropriate since the driver was significantly intoxicated. Police records show that the man had a blood-alcohol level of 0.334, more than four times the legal limit.

In 2005 and 2006, Haleas earned a "Top Cop" award from the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists for making 718 DUI arrests, more than any other officer in the state.