Alderman Gardiner Sued in Federal Court After Allegedly Having Constituent Falsely Arrested

Alderman Jim Gardiner is being sued by a man who says the alderman falsely accused him of a crime, harassed him and had him arrested.

The lawsuit, filed Friday in Chicago federal court, is aimed at Ald. Jim Gardiner (45th); Gardiner’s ward superintendent, Charles Sikanich; the city and seven police officers from the 16th district.

Sikanich was arrested in January 2014 for battery and impersonating a police officer. He also was previously arrested twice for retail theft, according to police.