JEFFERSON PARK — A defamation lawsuit filed against Ald. John Arena (45th) by a Chicago police officer challenging his bid for re-election was dismissed Wednesday by a Cook County judge, according to court records.
The lawsuit was prompted by seven mailings and one television advertisement paid for by Arena and three unions that supported him in the 2011 aldermanic election. The ads claimed Chicago Police Lt. John Garrido took money from a firm involved in the much-maligned 2009 parking meter privatization deal, and he would collect two city pensions if elected.
In 2011, Garrido lost to Arena by 30 votes in a runoff. He is running against Arena again in the Feb. 24 aldermanic election, along with Michelle Baert, who publishes a family-friendly website as the 45th Ward Mom, and state regulatory attorney Michael Diaz.