Cop Accused Of Seducing Women Involved In Domestic Disputes
ELMWOOD PARK, Ill. (CBS) -- An Elmwood Park police sergeant has been accused of using his police powers to target women he could seduce, when he was supposed to be working. He also has been accused of targeting the men who are in those ladies' lives.
CBS 2 Investigator Dave Savini spoke with three men who questioned how Sgt. John Wasilenko sergeant is still on the job.
Dewey Paccagnini said Wasilenko was on duty when Paccagnini caught the officer with his wife.
"I saw my wife kissing this guy – sergeant or officer – in the squad car," said Paccagnini. "I go through some bushes. I sit there, and watch for about an hour, hour-and-a-half."
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Wasilenko got personal with several women, after they came to his attention through domestic cases filed with the Elmwood Park Police Department. Some cases were filed by the men.
The sergeant allegedly used a police squad car to follow some of the men, and a special police computer system to run background checks for personal purposes.
Savini found Wasilenko, and tried asking him about the allegations, but did not receive any comment.
Paccagnini said the sergeant would follow him as he drove through an alley on his way home.
"I'd be calling the station up, 'Excuse me, somebody in charge there, I have a squad car following me right now. He follows me every night'," said Paccagnini. "And they go, 'Unfortunately, the guy in charge is the guy that's following you.'"
Paccagnini is one of three men who said Wasilenko is out of control, and Elmwood Park police officials would not do enough to stop him.
One man, who wanted to remain anonymous, said he called Elmwood Park police for help, after an uninvited former fiancée kept showing up at his apartment.
He said Wasilenko got a hold of his complaint, saw the former fiancée's picture, and starting asking her out.
"I believe he knows exactly what he is doing," he said. The man believes Wasilenko has been using his position to prey on women.
He also said Wasilenko followed him, and even showed up at his health club, asking people when he comes and goes.
A third man, Alex Demeter, said Wasilenko made personal visits to his ex-wife's house while on duty, and tried to start a fight with him too.
"My son had a soccer game, and he [Wasilenko] shows up there, and he's threatening me," said Demeter.
"I have complained substantially," said Demeter about his calls to Elmwood Park police officials.
This did not happen under his watch, so Elmwood Park Police Chief Frank Fagiano would only say an officer was investigated and disciplined, and would not give out any further details involving personnel matters.
Using the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System for non-police matters is a felony. The alleged victims in this case said they want an outside agency to investigate the sergeant.
