A former Chicago police officer has pleaded guilty to charges of perjury and forgery stemming from a scheme that saw him repeatedly blame an ex-girlfriend for traffic violations, including speeding tickets. Jeffrey Kriv, known for his extensive career as a drunk-driving enforcer, lied under oath numerous times over more than a decade, claiming his car was stolen by his former partner to escape the consequences of his actions.
Last week, Kriv was sentenced to 18 months of probation and ordered to repay $4,515 in restitution after accepting a plea deal that reduced his charges to felony theft. This agreement allows Kriv to avoid jail time, but the ramifications of his deceitful actions extend far beyond his own legal troubles.
An investigation by ProPublica has revealed that at least 92 traffic and criminal cases linked to arrests made by Kriv or tickets he issued have been dropped by prosecutors. The majority of these cases involved serious offenses such as drunken driving. Defense attorneys for those affected have pointed to Kriv’s perjury case as evidence that undermines the credibility of his earlier work.
Kriv’s history of alleged misconduct is troubling, with reports indicating he faced investigations for dishonesty at least 26 times during his tenure as an officer. This included allegations of falsifying records and making false arrests. Throughout his career, he became the subject of nearly 100 complaints from both citizens and fellow officers, a number notably higher than that of most police officers.
Although Kriv denied many of the allegations against him, claiming they stemmed from the frequency of his stops and arrests, investigations were often stymied due to the lack of formal complaints from accusers. In certain instances, oversight officials found him responsible for the misconduct. He chose to retire in 2023, just prior to his indictment.
The plea agreement, filed in Cook County court on September 24, came just before Kriv’s trial was set to begin. Prosecutors revealed that Kriv had 56 of his own traffic tickets dismissed after providing false testimony to judges, a figure higher than the previously reported 44. The fines associated with these tickets matched the restitution amount he was ordered to pay.
The fallout from Kriv’s case has raised significant concerns regarding other cases reliant on his testimony. The Cook County state’s attorney’s office confirmed to ProPublica that they had dropped pending cases involving individuals Kriv had arrested or ticketed, as they could not proceed without his testimony. “We could not call him as a witness due to the false statements he previously made,” they explained.
In light of the implications of Kriv’s actions, the state’s attorney’s office has committed to carefully reviewing any claims from individuals who have been convicted in cases involving Kriv. They acknowledged that there are additional defendants with outstanding warrants whose cases could be revisited.
Under the terms of his plea deal, Kriv admitted to fabricating stories in which he claimed his ex-girlfriend stole his BMW to justify his traffic violations. “Well, that morning, I broke up with my girlfriend and she stole my car,” Kriv recounted to one judge, a narrative he repeated multiple times to evade penalties for speeding, parking, and red light violations. He even submitted fraudulent police reports to substantiate his claims, leading judges to dismiss the tickets.
Kriv faced serious charges, including four counts of perjury and five counts of forgery, each carrying a potential sentence of up to five years in prison. His attorney, Tim Grace, declined to comment on the case.
The implications of Kriv’s conviction extend to his financial future as well. The executive director of the Policemen’s Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago stated that the pension board would convene to determine whether Kriv could continue receiving his monthly pension benefits, which exceed $6,000. Illinois law stipulates that officers convicted of felonies related to their service are ineligible for pension benefits.
In a previous court session, Kriv expressed his innocence and frustration over the legal proceedings. “I am going to fight it,” he declared, asserting that he did not intend to accept a plea deal. He voiced discontent over the treatment he received from prosecutors, comparing his situation to those accused of more severe offenses, such as carjacking. “I’m worse than a carjacker, allegedly,” he lamented, while also expressing concern over the impact of his case on other pending cases involving alleged drunk drivers.
Kriv’s case exemplifies a troubling intersection of police misconduct and the justice system, with significant consequences for the individuals and communities affected by his actions. As the legal fallout continues, it raises fundamental questions about accountability and the integrity of law enforcement practices in Chicago.
