Ex-Chicago cop charged by feds

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CHICAGO, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Former Chicago police officer Ali Hakeem was charged by federal authorities Monday with attempted extortion and selling weapons to a felon.

Hakeem, 45, who was on the Chicago police force from 1994 until he resigned last September, allegedly tried extort a cash bribe to steer business to a tow truck owner and sold three firearms to the same towing operator, who is a convicted felon, the U.S. Justice Department said in a release.

Hakeem was caught up in Operation Tow Scam, a federal investigation of bribery and extortion involving police officers and towing operators across Chicago. He is the 11th city police officer charged in the corruption probe since 2008. Seven officers and three civilians, including two tow truck drivers, have been convicted. Three other officers still face trial.