Ex-Chicago cop gets bond in brutality case

CHICAGO, Oct. 21 (UPI) -- A federal magistrate set bail for an ex-Chicago police commander following his arrest on charges stemming from the alleged brutalizing of suspects.

The FBI picked up 60-year-old Jon Burge at his home near Tampa, Fla., on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice for allegedly lying about the alleged physical abuse and torture of suspects dating to the 1980s.

The U.S. attorney's office in Chicago said Burge was released on $25,000 bond during a brief hearing in Tampa during which he was also ordered to surrender his passport and gun.

The statement said Burge was a supervisor in the Chicago Police Department's Area Two and allegedly was aware of officers working over suspects, often employing beatings, electric shocks and suffocation, including one who later sued the department.

Burge gave written statements in the civil case in which he said that he was unaware of any instances of physical abuse or threats in the interrogation of suspects. Prosecutors said Tuesday that Burge not only knew of the practices but had taken part in such incidents.