Evanston to pay $90,000 to settle lawsuits after police chief’s Snapchat post of old booking photos

Evanston aldermen last week unanimously approved paying $90,000 to settle a lawsuit brought against the city and the police chief after old police booking photos were posted on the social media app Snapchat.

The settlement was approved 9-0 and passed without comment on the city’s consent agenda.

The class action lawsuit was filed May 6, 2020, against the city of Evanston and Police Chief Demitrous Cook. The five plaintiffs alleged Cook violated their constitutional rights. The suit also alleged that Cook caused damages due to willful and wonton conduct, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and asked city officials to indemnify Cook “for any award of compensatory damages, attorneys’ fees, and costs awarded against these defendants,” according to the suit.