20110214 PR - Village wins appproval of the Muchca false arrest caseCwtact David Niemeyer 1200 Oak Brook Drive
Phone: (630) 368-5000 Oak Brook, IL 60523
Fax: (630) 990-3000
Village Wins Appeal of Mucha Case
Oak Brook, Blinois (February 14, 2011, 5:00 P" — The US Court of Appeals for the 7h Circuit issued
an opinion today affirming the judgment entered on behalf of Chief Sheahan and the Village in
connection with Mucha's false arrest claim. Mucha alleged that Chief Sheahan fabricated a set of facts
that resulted in a warrant being issued for Mucha's arrest for using the LEADS system to run a
criminal background check on Frances Gaik.
Writing for the court, Judge Bauer completely vindicated Chief Sheahan saying that Chief Sheahan
had probable cause to seek an arrest warrant because Mucha lied on two separate occasions about
running the LEADS inquiry on Gaik without a legitimate law enforcement purpose. Judge Bauer said
there was probable cause to arrest Mucha because a reasonable person could believe that there was a
substantial probability that Mucha had unlawfully requested a criminal background check.
Barring a successful appeal to the United States Supreme Court, today's decision brings to a close all
of Mucha's federal claims against Chief Sheahan and the Village. Still remaining is the state court
appeal by Mucha on his administrative review action as well as his libel and invasion of privacy
claims. The Village prevailed on all of Mucha's claims in the trial court and Mucha has appealed that
ruling.
About the Village of Oak Brook:
Founded in 1958, the Village of Oak Brook is located 20 miles west of downtown Chicago and is in
proximity to the junction of Interstates 88, 294, and 290. The Village consists mostly of residential
subdivisions, with the exception of the Oak Brook Center shopping mall, other retail and office properties
along 22nd Street and Interstate 88. Oak Brook is the home of many corporate offices, most notably, the
world headquarters of McDonald's Corporation and the service club organization Lions Clubs
International. The village levies no municipal property taxes.
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