CHICAGO | A Chicago police officer became the 10th member of the force to be charged in what federal authorities say was a scheme to steer work to tow truck drivers in exchange for bribes.
Federal prosecutors said Friday that a grand jury has indicted 44-year-old Gregory Garibay. He is charged with mail fraud and attempted extortion. He was assigned to the South Chicago District.
Garibay allegedly defrauded two insurance companies by making a false police report of an accident and staging an accident. Authorities say he obtained extortion payments totaling $2,200 from a cooperating tow truck driver in 2008.
Federal officials say the FBI's "Operation Tow Scam" has led to convictions of seven officers and three civilians, including two tow truck drivers. Besides Garibay, charges are pending against two other officers.
Garibay said he had no comment.
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