An FBI investigation has uncovered an extortion attempt by a
Chicago cop who was trying to extract a cash bribe from a tow operator in
exchange for steering business to his tow service. The charges also mention
that the same officer illegally sold three firearms to the tow truck driver,
who is a convicted felon. It seems that the officer, Ali Haleem, is not alone
in these types of actions within the Chicago police department.
Haleem is the 11th officer who has been charged as part of
an ongoing FBI investigation known as ‘Operation Tow Scam’. When Haleem was
first identified and brought in by agents with the help of an informant, he
himself became a snitch and helped law enforcement agents identify several
other police cop who where in cahoots with tow operators. Haleem, who had
previously operated as an undercover narcotics officer, was an ideal choice for
the Bureau to turn into an informant. He cooperated with the FBI and wore a
wire which provided evidence that helped the Bureau charge another nine cop.
This past week,
though, it was time for him to be charged publicly for illegally soliciting
bribes for providing business to a tow service and dealing in illegal firearms.
Unbeknownst to Haleem, the tow operator was already cooperating with law
enforcement authorities and the FBI when Haleem approached him and demanded
cash to funnel business to his tow service.
Seven of the eleven cop who have now been charged in
‘Operation Tow Scam’, have been convicted. The FBI have also charged three
civilians in connection with the investigation, including two tow truck
drivers, both of which have been convicted. Charges are still pending against
three other cop.
Haleem was known for helping the Chicago police build trust
between the Arab community on the Southwest side of the city and the police
department, for which he called himself the ‘Mayor of 63rd Street’. He also
worked on anti-terrorism cases for the department in the wake of 9/11.
The charges faced by Mr. Haleem could see him spending
nearly 40 years in prison, or more. The maximum prison sentence for attempted
extortion is 20 years, while each count of selling a firearm to a convicted
felon carries a maximum sentence of 10 years. However, in light of his
cooperation and assistance with the FBI’s investigation it is unlikely that Mr.
Haleem will receive a full sentence.