Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Johnson’s termination on Monday.
What We Know:
- According to Lightfoot, Johnson was fired because he “engaged in conduct that is not only unbecoming but demonstrated a series of ethical lapses and flawed decision-making.” The mayor is referring to an incident that occurred on October 17 where Johnson was found asleep in his vehicle after an evening of drinking.
- Johnson stated that he failed to take his blood pressure medication which caused him to fall asleep. In a statement made shortly after the incident, he stated, “How can I explain it? It’s just your body kind of gives you a warning with the high blood pressure thing that you may pass out, so I pulled over, stopped and I just rested myself until that feeling passed.”
- Chicago’s inspector general’s office was asked to investigate the incident further, uncovering information that proved Johnson was not being completely honest. Lightfoot stated, “I saw things that were inconsistent with what Mr. Johnson had told me personally and what he revealed to members of the public.”
- Details of the investigation have not been made public, but the mayor made this suggestive comment, saying, “While at some point the IG’s report may become public and those details may be revealed, I don’t feel like it’s appropriate or fair to Mr. Johnson’s wife or children to do so at this time.” The Chicago Tribune reported there is video footage showing Johnson drinking for a few hours on the evening of Oct. 16 with a woman who was not his wife at the Ceres Cafe.
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Johnson acknowledged that he “made a poor decision and had a lapse of judgment… that was a mistake and I know that.” He defends himself saying, “I did not intentionally mislead or deceive the Mayor or the people of Chicago”. He continues, “However, I have no interest in fighting a battle for my reputation with those that want to question it now. Reputations are not built in a day and not damaged in a day either. They are the result of years of living.”
Charlie Beck, former Los Angeles police Chief, will take over the department interim.
