After Harvey police arrested 2nd Ward Ald. Colby Chapman for the second time in three months regarding the same dispute with city administrator Corean Davis, details of both arrests remain unclear, with no official records of any charges appearing in court documents.
Chapman was arrested Oct. 16, city spokesperson Glenn Harston said in a news release, because she filed a false police report related to the dispute with Davis after a City Council meeting Aug. 14.
After spending the morning in custody, Harston said Chapman was released without charges.
Harston said Chapman filed the police report after the Aug. 14 meeting, claiming she was “pushed and battered” by Davis. But after Harvey police examined surveillance footage and heard from witnesses, officers determined they disagree with how Chapman described what happened, Harston said.
Harston said the Cook County state’s attorney’s office decided not to pursue charges against Chapman. Police Chief Cameron Biddings was quoted in the news release criticizing that decision.
“We take the filing of false police reports very seriously, especially when it involves a public official in a position of trust,” Biddings’ statement reads. “Filing a false report wastes valuable resources and undermines public trust. While it’s unfortunate the Cook County state’s attorney (Kim Foxx) chose not to prosecute her sorority sister, our investigation clearly shows a contradiction in Chapman’s claims.”
The Cook County state’s attorney’s office did not respond to requests for comment.
Chapman told the Southtown after her arrest in August she believes it was politically motivated, because of her vocal criticism of city affairs under Mayor Christopher Clark’s administration.
Chapman’s attorney, Robert Hanlon, said he was contacted by Harvey police the week prior while Chapman was away, requesting that she surrender herself. Hanlon said the police could not provide a copy of an arrest warrant or evidence of any charges, which officials later said were never filed. Still, he said he advised Chapman to turn herself in when she got back and cooperate with the investigation.
In surveillance footage at City Hall on Aug. 14, shared by Harston, Davis, in a floral, white jacket, is shown moving past Chapman, in a black dress and grey sweater, to speak with Ancel Glink attorney Keri-Lyn Krafthefer after the City Council meeting let out. As Davis places her hand on Chapman, Chapman appears to shake her arm free. After Davis exits through a glass door into another room, Chapman can be seen making gestures toward her.
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Chapman was picked up at about 7 a.m., Oct. 16, taken to the Phoenix Police Department, and then transported back to Harvey, where she was released early that afternoon, Hanlon said.
“It’s ridiculous,” Hanlon said. “They didn’t have a warrant for her arrest. We’re not supposed to go around arresting people, making them wait in jail while the government tries to figure things out.”
Harvey police first arrested Chapman Aug. 22 and said they charged her with assault, though the details remain unclear. City officials required a Freedom of Information Act request be filed for the report, and then redacted much of the information, including whether the charge was under state law or city ordinance.
Chapman’s case was delayed again after city officials failed to show up to the first scheduled court hearing Oct. 8. After waiting at the courthouse for 40 minutes, Chapman was dismissed with plans to return Nov. 18.
Davis also sought a workplace protection restraining order against Chapman Aug. 22, which was dismissed by the court Sept. 25. Davis’ and Harvey’s lawyer, Sean Connolly, are attempting to refile the order of protection and have a court date Nov. 7 at the Markham courthouse.
Court records show neither the city of Harvey nor the Cook County state’s attorney’s office have filed any official action related to the assault charges referenced in the police record of Chapman’s arrest.
smoilanen@chicagotribune.com