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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Cop of the Year? Probably Not

CHICAGO (CN) - The suburban village of Niles sued a former cop, claiming he got $86,600 in workers comp benefits for being injured during an armed robbery: only he staged the robbery, and stabbed himself in the shoulder.

The village of Niles sued Gary Amato in Cook County Court. It claims that Amato stabbed himself during the staged robbery, in which he stole $44,000.

Officer Amato claimed he was robbed at a stop sign in January 2011, while delivering deposits to a bank, the Chicago Sun Times reported. The deposits included $4,000 in cash and $40,000 in checks.

Six months later, police determined that Amato had staged the crime, stabbed himself in the shoulder and stolen the deposits, according to the Sun Times.

Amato pleaded guilty to felony theft and misconduct and was sentenced in August 2012 to two years probation and 100 hours of community service, according to the Morton Grove Champion, a suburban newspaper.

Now Niles wants back the money it spent on Amato's worker's compensation claim.

"Defendant filed an Application for Adjustment of Claim with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission relative to an alleged robbery and stabbing whereby Amato claimed injury on or about January 18, 2011," according to the complaint.

"The Village of Niles paid $86,644.55 in workers compensation benefits to Gary Amato, including $68,393.03 in medical and $18,251.52 in indemnity.

"An investigation determined that Gary Amato was the perpetrator of the crime.

"Gary Amato was charged with theft and official misconduct under the case styled as: People v. Gary R. Amato, Case Number 11 CR-13001.

"On August 6, 2012, Gary Amato was convicted of theft and official misconduct.

"On February 28, 2012, Gary Amato voluntarily dismissed the worker's compensation action."

Niles seeks punitive damages for unjust enrichment, fraud and misrepresentation.

It is represented by Julie Kamps, with Rusin, Maciorowski & Friedman of Chicago.

Niles, pop. 29,000, is a northwest suburb of Chicago.

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