A former campus police officer is suing the NIU Board of Trustees and Police Chief Don Grady. Andrew Rifkin filed the lawsuit Jan. 22 in DeKalb County. Rifkin was charged in 2011 with sexually assaulting a student. Those charges were later dropped.
WEB EXTRA: Daily Chronicle: Rifkin Court Filing
DeKalb County Judge Robbin Stuckert said NIU police had purposefully hidden from prosecutors witness statements that could have aided Rifkin’s defense.
Two people who knew Rifkin told NIU police Lieutenant Kartik Ramakrishnan and Police Chief Donald Grady the woman had a consensual relationship with Rifkin.
No report was filed at that time. On November 3rd, Ramakrishnan said in court that he made a “very, very bad mistake” and put the women’s statements into Rifkin’s personnel file, rather than sharing them with the DeKalb County State’s Attorney’s office, as required. Both Ramakrishnan and Grady were put on leave.
Rifkin is seeking damages.
Plaintiff(s)
ANDREW RIFKIN
Defendant(s)
BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF NORTHERN - Defendant
KARTIK RAMAKRISHNAN - Defendant
DONALD GRADY - Defendant
JASON JOHN - Defendant
RAMON HOLLAND - Defendant
