Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Chicago Tribune

CHICAGO -- A group of six guards at the Cook County Jail has filed suit in federal court alleging they were wrongfully investigated and demoted following last year's escapes at the complex.

The guards sued former Cook County Sheriff Michael Sheahan and four jail officials Tuesday, alleging the action against them was politically motivated.
The men say they were supporters of candidate Richard Remus, who was opposing Sheahan's chief of staff, Tom Dart, in an election last year. Dart ultimately was elected sheriff.

The plaintiffs contend they were frivolously investigated and taken off an elite guard unit after six inmates escaped from the jail on Feb. 11, 2006.

Penny Mateck, a spokeswoman for the sheriff's office, said leaders there had yet to review the suit and had no comment.

One guard--who is not a plaintiff in the suit--was charged criminally for allegedly aiding the inmates' escape. Authorities have said he did so to embarrass Dart.