Ex-Chicago officer accused of groping woman pleads guilty

CHICAGO – A former Chicago police officer accused in 2016 of groping and forcibly kissing a woman while on duty has pleaded guilty to a reduced misdemeanour charge.

The Chicago Tribune reported Monday that records show 60-year-old Michael Clifton was sentenced to two years of conditional discharge after pleading guilty last week to misdemeanour battery in Cook County court. Clifton originally faced multiple felonies. He has since retired.

Prosecutors accused Clifton of assaulting a woman who came to a police station seeking an arrest warrant for a man who allegedly beat her.

Conditional discharge is a form of probation. Prosecutors say they consulted the victim about the plea deal. Defence attorney Timothy Grace told the judge Clifton “recognizes the errors in his ways.”

The city of Chicago settled a federal lawsuit with the victim for $100,000.

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Information from: Chicago Tribune, http://www.chicagotribune.com