David DeMato

Case #: 19PB2961
Police badge #: 1202
Download original case files
- 19PB2961_Charges.pdf

Recommendation Termination
Decision Resignation
Length of process 10 months July 30, 2019 to May 21, 2020 Closed

Investigative Agency Not Specified

Charged with violating 5 rules on 9 counts


Rule 2	3 counts	Any action or conduct which impedes the Department's efforts to achieve its policy and goals or brings discredit upon the Department. Count 1 On or about March 17, 2015 through approximately late May 2015, Sergeant DeMato engaged in inappropriate conduct and/or communications with a criminally charged arrestee, without a valid police purpose, which included but is not limited to: meeting with Michelle Valenzuela at the Felix Hotel in Chicago for personal reasons after she bonded out from her arrest for prostitution; and/or paying for an extra night's stay for Ms. Valenzuela at the Felix Hotel; and/or offering and/or affirming his assistance in getting Ms. Valenzuela's criminal case dismissed; and/or continuing to contact Ms. Valenzuela after she advised him not to contact her; and/or offering his assistance to clear her criminal case under false pretenses after Ms. Valenzuela had entered into a court diversion program agreement. Count 2 Sergeant DeMato knowingly failed to notify and/or excused Officer Manuel Solis, Star No. 15093, for a court appearance on May 14, 2015 in Branch 43 of the Circuit Court of Cook County, under Court Notification No. 10436018, in connection with the criminal prostitution case against Michelle Valenzuela, when Officer Solis had not been excused by the Cook County State's Attorney's Office. Count 3 Between the dates of May 12, 2015 and May 14, 2015, Sergeant DeMato met with Cook County Assistant State's Attorneys, Drew Henning and/or Mike Bagnowski, at or near Branch 43 of the Circuit Court of Cook County, 3150 W. Flournoy St., Chicago, Illinois, and made false and/or misleading statements that Michelle Valenzuela, an individual with a criminal prostitution charge pending in Branch 43, was cooperating in an ongoing multi-jurisdiction prostitution investigation and/or prosecution, or words to that effect, and requested, without a valid police purpose, that the criminal case against Ms. Valenzuela be dismissed.
Rule 4	3 counts	Any conduct or action taken to use the official position for personal gain or influence. Count 1 On or about March 17, 2015 through approximately late May 2015, Sergeant DeMato engaged in inappropriate conduct and/or communications with a criminally charged arrestee, without a valid police purpose, which included but is not limited to: meeting with Michelle Valenzuela at the Felix Hotel in Chicago for personal reasons after she bonded out from her arrest for prostitution; and/or paying for an extra night's stay for Ms. Valenzuela at the Felix Hotel; and/or offering and/or affirming his assistance in getting Ms. Valenzuela's criminal case dismissed; and/or continuing to contact Ms. Valenzuela after she advised him not to contact her; and/or offering his assistance to clear her criminal case under false pretenses after Ms. Valenzuela had entered into a court diversion program agreement. Count 2 Sergeant DeMato knowingly failed to notify and/or excused Officer Manuel Solis, Star No. 15093, for a court appearance on May 14, 2015 in Branch 43 of the Circuit Court of Cook County, under Court Notification No. 10436018, in connection with the criminal prostitution case against Michelle Valenzuela, when Officer Solis had not been excused by the Cook County State's Attorney's Office. Count 3 Between the dates of May 12, 2015 and May 14, 2015, Sergeant DeMato met with Cook County Assistant State's Attorneys, Drew Henning and/or Mike Bagnowski, at or near Branch 43 of the Circuit Court of Cook County, 3150 W. Flournoy St., Chicago, Illinois, and made false and/or misleading statements that Michelle Valenzuela, an individual with a criminal prostitution charge pending in Branch 43, was cooperating in an ongoing multi-jurisdiction prostitution investigation and/or prosecution, or words to that effect, and requested, without a valid police purpose, that the criminal case against Ms. Valenzuela be dismissed.
Rule 3	1 count	Any failure to promote the Department's efforts to implement its policy or accomplish its goals. Count 1 Sergeant DeMato knowingly failed to notify and/or excused Officer Manuel Solis, Star No. 15093, for a court appearance on May 14, 2015 in Branch 43 of the Circuit Court of Cook County, under Court Notification No. 10436018, in connection with the criminal prostitution case against Michelle Valenzuela, when Officer Solis had not been excused by the Cook County State's Attorney's Office.
Rule 6	1 count	Disobedience of an order or directive, whether written or oral. Count 1 Sergeant DeMato knowingly failed to notify and/or excused Officer Manuel Solis, Star No. 15093, for a court appearance on May 14, 2015 in Branch 43 of the Circuit Court of Cook County, under Court Notification No. 10436018, in connection with the criminal prostitution case against Michelle Valenzuela, when Officer Solis had not been excused by the Cook County State's Attorney's Office.
Rule 14	1 count	Making a false report, written or oral. Count 1 Between the dates of May 12, 2015 and May 14, 2015, Sergeant DeMato met with Cook County Assistant State's Attorneys, Drew Henning and/or Mike Bagnowski, at or near Branch 43 of the Circuit Court of Cook County, 3150 W. Flournoy St., Chicago, Illinois, and made false and/or misleading statements that Michelle Valenzuela, an individual with a criminal prostitution charge pending in Branch 43, was cooperating in an ongoing multi-jurisdiction prostitution investigation and/or prosecution, or words to that effect, and requested, without a valid police purpose, that the criminal case against Ms. Valenzuela be dismissed.

Board Member Votes & Decisions

Majority Decision

9 agreed

Agreed with the final decision of the board

0 disagreed

Disagreed with the final decision of the board

0 did not vote

Did not vote or were not present for voting

On April 17, 2020, the Superintendent moved to withdraw the charges against the Respondent because the Respondent resigned from the Chicago Police Department. The Police Board has considered the Superintendent’s motion. The Superintendent’s motion is granted, and the proceedings before the Police Board are terminated.