Chicago City Wire

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 members of Watts’s tactical team. The lawsuits stem from arrests that occurred more than twenty years ago, with some legal actions dating back to 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 is intended to provide closure for the city and plaintiffs, reduce potential future verdicts against the city, lower long-term legal costs, and reinforce Chicago’s commitment to constitutional policing.

A joint investigation by the FBI and CPD Internal Affairs led to federal indictments of Watts and Mohammed in 2012; both later pleaded guilty and served time in federal prison.

The individuals bringing these cases collectively spent between 182 and 204 years in custody as a result of convictions based on evidence fabricated by Watts’s team. All related convictions have since been vacated, with most plaintiffs receiving Certificates of Innocence.

Richardson-Lowry has focused on resolving older cases that create financial burdens for the city. Deputy Corporation Counsel Victoria Benson was brought in specifically for complex mass tort litigation.

“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,” said Richardson-Lowry.

“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.”

The Chicago Police Department has updated its policies through reform efforts designed to prevent similar misconduct in the future.

"The cases involved in this settlement do not represent the Chicago Police Department of today," said CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling. "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 settle their claims under this agreement. The proposed settlement will be reviewed at the September 15 Committee on Finance meeting before being presented for approval by the full City Council.