Lawsuit: Crime Commission Book Mislabels Man As Gang Leader
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Chicago Crime Commission is on the receiving end of a lawsuit claiming the commission has the wrong guy.
As WBBM Newsradio's Bernie Tafoya reports, Edward Arroyo says his name, his picture, and his birth date are included in the 2012 Gang Book from the Chicago Crime Commission.
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The book lists Arroyo, 28, as the leader of the Spanish Gangster Disciples in northwest suburban Roselle.
The book claims the Spanish Gangster Disciples are mainly involved in "drug trafficking, armed robbery, auto theft and assault", according to the suit.
But Arroyo says in his lawsuit against the Crime Commission that he is not a member of a gang and never has been.
He says his inclusion in the book is "false and defamatory" and has damaged his reputation.
Arroyo's attorney, Lesley Pickering, tells the Chicago Tribune that Arroyo is afraid for his safety, because gangs may think the books is correct and go after him.
The six-count suit claims defamation against the Chicago Crime Commission and commission leader J.R. Davis. It seeks more than $200,000 in damages and an injunction against the book's publication.
A Chicago Crime Commission spokesman said all information in the gang book is based off of information provided by law enforcement authorities. The commission suggests anyone who disputes information in the book talk to the law enforcement agency that provided the information.
