A federal judge in Chicago has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a police officer against former police Superintendent Eddie Johnson. The lawsuit, filed by Officer Cynthia Donald in 2020, alleged sexual assault by Johnson, who was found asleep behind the wheel of his SUV after a night of drinking with Donald. Both individuals were married to other people at the time.
The decision to dismiss the lawsuit was made by U.S. District Judge Elaine Bucklo without going to trial. Judge Bucklo cited evidence that suggested Donald was a willing participant in her relationship with Johnson, leading to the dismissal of the case.
Johnson's attorney, Michael Leonard, expressed satisfaction with the court's decision, stating that Johnson had always acknowledged engaging in a consensual relationship with Donald. Leonard emphasized that the court found Donald's claims of sexual harassment to be meritless based on the evidence presented.
Donald's attorney, Robert McLaughlin, expressed disappointment with the ruling and indicated that an appeal is planned in response to the dismissal of the lawsuit.
The lawsuit alleged that Johnson had sexually harassed Donald, pressured her into engaging in sexual acts, and sent her nude photos between 2016 and 2019 while she was assigned to his security detail and later as his driver. The lawsuit claimed that Johnson had used his position of power to coerce Donald into unwanted sexual activity by linking it to her employment and career advancement within the Chicago Police Department.
Former Mayor Lori Johnson had fired Superintendent Johnson in December 2019 for dishonesty regarding the events leading to his being found asleep in his vehicle. Johnson initially attributed his condition to a change in blood pressure medication but later admitted to having consumed alcohol that night. Subsequent media reports and surveillance footage from a Chicago bar confirmed that Johnson had been drinking heavily.
