Chicago educator Mel Reynolds, an announced challenger to U.S. Rep. Gus Savage (D., Ill.), was cleared by a Cook County Circuit Court judge on Friday of charges of assault and solicitation for sexual favors made by a 20-year-old woman.
Judge William Wood found Reynolds innocent of the charges after a 2 1/2-hour trial in which a Chicago police officer testified that Reynolds had called him out of concern that he was being set up by the woman.
Reynolds has charged that the allegations were a political dirty trick and said he will pursue a criminal complaint of extortion against the woman, Cheron Coleman, 20, and is likely to file a civil lawsuit against Coleman and her father, Chicago police officer Ronald Coleman.
The allegations against Reynolds were made one month after news reports that Savage had allegedly sexually assaulted a 28-year-old Peace Corps volunteer while on a trip to Zaire.
That incident is under preliminary investigation by the U.S. House Ethics Committee.
“There`s no question in my mind that this was a political setup, and it backfired,“ Reynolds said.
“It`s had a positive effect on the campaign because people saw how ridiculous the charges were.
“I have no way of knowing who is behind all this. Fortunately, you need more than just an accusation to prove your case in court.“
Police officer Clifford Griffin said that Reynolds told him that he feared he was being set up and asked Griffin to attend a meeting with Coleman. Griffin, who witnessed a meeting outside of Reynolds` apartment, denied an allegation that Reynolds tried to strike Coleman`s sister, Taiyon Coleman. Reynolds announced last month that he will enter the March Democratic primary against Savage, and he released a poll showing he holds a slim lead over the incumbent.
A third challenger, State Sen. Howard Brookins (D., Chicago), is expected to enter the race.
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