Feb 28, 2008 6:24 pm US/Central
E2 Nightclub Manager And Son Sue City, County
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
The E2 nightclub tragedy in Chicago has led to a new lawsuit, and harsh criticism of Mayor Richard M. Daley.
CBS 2's Joanie Lum reports the former E2 nightclub manager and his son are fighting back after being acquitted in a trial following the deaths of 21 people at the club five years ago.
Manslaughter charges were filed against four men, including the club manager, Calvin Hollins Jr. and his son, Calvin Hollins III.
In a multi-million dollar lawsuit filed against the city and the Cook County State's Attorney, they say they were prosecuted to cover up what they called the poor police and fire response in the early morning hours of Feb.17, 2003.
"Someone had to give the order for the police to stand out there like they did -- 40 minutes without entering the building," Hollins Jr. said.
Their attorney says Daley pushed for the unprecedented criminal prosecution because 2003 was an election year.
"The mayor put himself in the mix. The mayor stepped out," attorney Gregory Kulis said. "The mayor made comments about the E2 nightclub. This is right before the election. It is not good politics to have 21 people die in your city right before you're running for re-election."
Hollins Jr. believes he was prosecuted because he is African American. He said the most difficult aspect of his ordeal was watching his son endure it, too.
"My heart's being torn out every time I look to my left and saw my son standing there in court with me for something he had absolutely nothing to do with and we're facing 30 years in prison," he said.
Jennifer Hoyle of the city's law department says the lawsuit is, quote, "totally without merit -- factually or legally. We intend to vigorously defend the city."
A spokesman for the Cook County States' Attorney's office says he has not seen the lawsuit yet and would not comment.
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