Chicago’s taxpayers are poised to pay $13.75 million to settle police misconduct lawsuits by Gabriel Solache and Arturo DeLeon-Reyes. This comes after allegations that ex-Detective Reynaldo Guevara forced false confessions from them.
The City Council Finance Committee recommended these settlements on Monday. Solache and DeLeon-Reyes were convicted in 2000 for a double murder and kidnapping. They received certificates of innocence along with other victims of Guevara’s misconduct.
Separate juries had found them guilty of murdering Mariano Soto and his wife Jacinta, and kidnapping their children. Prosecutors initially claimed the crime was masterminded by Adriana Mejia to kidnap the couple’s baby. Mejia is serving a life sentence for her role in the crime. She allegedly faked a pregnancy and implicated DeLeon-Reyes in the killings, but initially denied Solache’s involvement.
Both men’s convictions were overturned after they accused Guevara of fabricating confessions. DeLeon-Reyes and Solache reported being interrogated for up to 42 hours and being assaulted by Guevara. They claimed Guevara wrote false statements in English that they did not understand.
Despite these allegations, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx still expressed belief in their guilt but noted Guevara’s credibility issues hindered further action. In 2017, a judge overturned the convictions, criticizing Guevara’s honesty. Foxx’s office eventually dropped charges and issued innocence certificates in 2022.
Chicago faces significant financial impacts, with around 40 more cases related to Guevara pending. The settlements await City Council approval, with Solache set to receive $6 million and DeLeon-Reyes $7.75 million.
The committee is also advancing other settlements, including $6 million for Michael A. Jordan’s family. He died after being hit by a car as the driver fled police. Another settlement involves $225,000 for Lorenzo Williams over an excessive force claim during his arrest.