CHICAGO — A Chicago police officer is under internal investigation after federal prosecutors revealed the officer’s involvement with Jawad Fakroune, a convicted felon accused of threatening and assaulting a Lincoln Park restaurant owner in a $1.5 million extortion scheme.
The officer — referred to as “Individual A” in court filings — allegedly left two Glock handguns at a home connected to Fakroune. Those weapons were later seized during an FBI raid in Manhattan in December 2024, according to federal records. Prosecutors say the officer later reported the guns stolen — but the report may have contained false information.
Officer’s Role Raises Internal Red Flags
While the officer has not been publicly identified, his involvement has drawn scrutiny from both the FBI and the Chicago Police Department (CPD). A CPD spokesperson confirmed that “an open log” had been created for the matter but declined to comment further.
In court, Fakroune’s attorney Damon Cheronis named Individual A as a Chicago police officer, portraying him as an unreliable figure. He told the court the officer is a “heavy drinker” who filed a false police report and misled federal investigators during an initial interview.
“Then, his attorney called to notify the government that his client, Individual A, lied in the initial proffer,” Cheronis wrote. “The police report may contain ‘inconsistencies’ with what he told the FBI.”
Fakroune’s Violent Allegations and Escobar Claims
Jawad Fakroune, a Moroccan national with a criminal record, was arrested in January. Prosecutors allege that he posed as a relative of infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar and used violence to intimidate a Lincoln Park restaurateur. Fakroune allegedly punched the victim and threatened to kill his family unless he received $1.5 million he claimed he was owed.
Fakroune’s lawyer maintains the two were former business partners and disputes the violent allegations. He also pushed back on a series of additional claims, including that Fakroune assaulted strippers, broke a man’s back, and claimed to be Escobar’s son.
Guns, Cash, and Flight Risk
Prosecutors argue that Fakroune poses a danger to the community and is a flight risk. When FBI agents raided the Manhattan home where Fakroune was staying, they recovered:
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Two Glock handguns
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Numerous fake IDs
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$191,000 in cash
Fakroune evaded authorities for over a month following that December raid, before eventually being captured in Michigan City, Indiana.
His attorney has requested that he be released on bond while awaiting trial, citing the need to review “voluminous” case documents. That motion remains pending.
High-Profile Connections Also Under Review
In an earlier twist, it was revealed that Lisa Duarte — a former top aide to Gov. JB Pritzker and now a lobbyist — had paid property taxes on a Lemont home connected to Fakroune. Duarte, through her lawyer, stated she has cooperated with investigators and is not accused of wrongdoing.
“I believe I’m a small sliver in a long trail of victims,” Duarte told the Chicago Sun-Times in April.
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