CHICAGO — An 83-year-old Chicago man is claiming one his neighbors conspired with the president of his community association, who is a sergeant with the Chicago Police Department, to have him falsely arrested in retaliation for a lawsuit against the board president and the association.
Joseph Fong filed a complaint Nov. 13 in Cook County Circuit Court against Merle Ward, alleging false arrest, malicious prosecution and defamation.
Fong, identified in the complaint as a longtime resident of the Westgate Terrace Community Association, claims a lawsuit he filed earlier against the association and its board president resulted in his false arrest. The complaint does not name the association board president as a defendant. However, the complaint identifies the board president as a sergeant with the Chicago Police Department in the 12th District.
Fong was arrested on Aug. 14 for allegedly "relocating" a Chicago Transit Authority bus stop sign. He alleges his neighbor Ward agreed to help the association board president by providing a false report and claiming she saw Fong move the sign. On Sept. 18, Fong's charge for criminal damage to city property was dismissed, according to the complaint.
Fong seeks money damages, trial by jury and other relief. He is represented by attorney Shorge Sato of Shoken Legal Ltd., in Chicago.
Circuit Court of Cook County case number 2019-L-012569