John Doe, a former police officer with the Cicero Police Department (CPD), has filed a lawsuit against several of his former supervisors, alleging defamation and tortious interference with his employment. The complaint was filed on April 9, 2025, in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, naming Branislav Dragistic, Steven Kelley, Nino Scimone, and Eddy Lopez as defendants.
The case revolves around John Doe's claims that during his tenure at CPD, he was subjected to a campaign of false accusations and defamatory statements by his supervisors. Doe asserts that despite being an exemplary officer who received praise for his dedication and effectiveness, he became the target of a malicious effort to tarnish his reputation. According to the complaint, these actions included fabricating negative performance reviews and spreading false information about him to potential employers after he was forced to resign from CPD.
Doe's legal action is based on multiple counts of defamation per se and per quod against each defendant. He alleges that statements made by the defendants imputed a lack of integrity and competence in his professional duties. For instance, Defendant Dragistic allegedly made false claims about Doe's handling of paperwork and officer safety protocols. Similarly, Defendant Kelley purportedly accused Doe of allowing a prisoner escape incident despite being cleared of any wrongdoing. The complaint further accuses Defendants Lopez and Scimone of making baseless allegations regarding Doe's fitness for duty.
In addition to defamation claims, Doe also charges the defendants with tortious interference with business relationships or expectancy. He contends that their false statements led to his wrongful termination from CPD and hindered his ability to secure employment with other police departments. As a result, Doe seeks compensatory damages for economic losses and damage to his professional reputation. He also requests punitive damages as well as injunctive relief to prevent further dissemination of defamatory statements.
Representing John Doe is attorney Ruth I. Major from The Law Offices of Ruth I. Major, P.C., located in Chicago. The case is presided over by Judge Mariyana T. Spyropoulos under Case No. 2025L004844.