Mayor Brandon Johnson and Corporation Counsel Mary B. Richardson-Lowry have announced a $90 million global settlement to resolve 176 lawsuits related to wrongful convictions tied to former Chicago Police Department Sgt. Ronald Watts, former officer Kallatt Mohammed, and other members of Watts’s tactical team. The cases stem from arrests that occurred more than twenty years ago, with lawsuits dating back as far as 2017.
“This is the first time we’ve reached a comprehensive settlement to resolve wrongful conviction claims,” said Mayor Johnson. “It’s a historic moment that reflects our commitment to accountability and healing.”
The settlement aims to reduce the City’s exposure to potential adverse verdicts, lower long-term legal costs, and ease financial pressure on city resources while reinforcing a commitment to constitutional policing.
Watts and Mohammed were indicted in 2012 following an investigation by the FBI and CPD Internal Affairs Division. Both pled guilty and served federal prison sentences.
The plaintiffs spent between 182 and 204 years collectively in custody before their convictions—based on fabricated evidence—were vacated. Nearly all received Certificates of Innocence after their exonerations.
Richardson-Lowry noted the importance of resolving these longstanding cases: “The longer these cases remain unresolved, the more expensive closure becomes, driven largely by the potential for extraordinarily large jury awards, rising settlement costs, and mounting attorneys’ fees.”
She added, “By confronting litigation challenges head-on, modernizing our approach, and ensuring fiscal responsibility, this global settlement aligns with our vision. Importantly, this settlement resolves approximately 64% of the City’s reverse conviction cases, effectively bringing closure to years of complex and costly litigation and ensuring fairness for all parties involved. Our Mass Torts and Complex Litigation Division worked closely with the federal magistrate judges who oversaw the settlement discussions in these cases, as well as plaintiffs’ counsel, to facilitate a resolution that was both fair and fiscally responsible.”
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling commented on departmental reforms: “The cases involved in this settlement do not represent the Chicago Police Department of today. In addition to enhanced policies and consistent training, we are continuously implementing safeguards to strengthen accountability and supervision. These safeguards aim to both prevent misconduct and rebuild trust within our communities across the city.”
All 180 plaintiffs have agreed to accept the proposed global settlement covering all claims including attorneys’ fees. The proposal will be presented at the September 15 Committee on Finance meeting before moving forward for approval by City Council.
