Families of victims are calling on Chicago police officers to cancel a fundraiser for a fellow cop charged with a fatal DUI.
The police department says it’s not behind a benefit for Det. Joseph Frugoli. But the Fraternal Order of Police confirms some fellow officers are gathering Friday night to raise money for him.
Frugoli’s got a lot of expenses these days. Authorities say his blood-alcohol level was three times the legal limit during an April crash on the Dan Ryan Expressway. The crash killed Andrew Cazares, 23, and Fausto Manzera, 21.
Word of the fundraiser led about 50 of their friends and relatives Wednesday night to the South Side station where Frugoli worked.
FAMILIES: Cancel the benefit! Cancel the benefit!
The lieutenant on duty, Edward Richards, said he didn’t know anything about the benefit.
That didn’t convince Manzera’s mother, María Vélez.
VELEZ: I don’t understand how anybody in their right mind could possibly support this individual.
Fraternal Order of Police President Mark Donahue praises Frugoli’s co-workers for standing by him.