Bolingbrook Cop Says Associating With Felon Son Got Him Fired, Files Discrimination Suit

BOLINGBROOK, IL -- A Bolingbrook police officer claims he was fired for associating with his son, a convicted felon, and says he was treated more harshly than other employees because he is black.

In a complaint filed March 1 in Chicago federal court, Sgt. Willie McRay, who is African-American, is seeking monetary damages, claiming he was unlawfully fired on Feb. 13 and that his race played a role in disciplinary action taken against him.

Bolingbrook Police Sergeant Facing Termination for Associating with Felon Son

The suit, which names the Village of Bolingbrook as well as several employees -- all white -- notes that McRay's disciplinary history was "impeccable" prior to the incidents involving his son, and all his performance reviews for the past decade found his work "excellent" or "outstanding."

Officials began taking steps last year to fire McRay, a 14-year veteran of the Bolingbrook Police Department, for continued association with his son, convicted felon Jeremy McRay. The younger McRay was arrested in Bolingbrook for felony burglary in September 2015, and allegedly threw a party at his father's Bolingbrook home nearly a year later during which a burglary and sexual assault were reported. The party was held after the elder McRay was told by supervisors to cease contact with his son.

A general order bars Bolingbrook police officers from associating with felons. After Jeremy McRay's 2015 burglary arrest, Bolingbrook Public Safety Director Tom Ross learned he has a previous felony conviction for drug possession.

According to information obtained by Patch via a Freedom of Information Act request, Ross had repeatedly told McRay he was not permitted to associate with his son, nor could his son live with him. According to the documents, Ross was seeking to terminate Sgt. McRay for disobeying general and direct orders, for insubordination, and for failure to uphold the standards expected and delineated for service as a sergeant and police officer for the village.

During a termination hearing last year, Ross claimed the veteran cop would not help with the investigation into the August 2016 sexual assault or burglary.

“He wouldn’t file a report or cooperate with the investigation,” Ross said, appearing to point the finger at Sgt. McRay after the alleged crimes. “If he doesn’t give Jeremy access to the house, this doesn’t happen."

McRay's lawsuit claims that at the time of his son's arrest for burglarizing vehicles in September 2015, he was living with his mother in Plainfield. Jail records list an address in the 100 block of Periwinkle Lane in Bolingbrook for Jeremy McRay, which is also his father's address, but Will County court records list an address in the 13000 block of Kendall Drive in Plainfield.

Sgt. McRay's complaint also states that, in conversation with Ross, McRay asserted that he was not in violation of the department's "no associating with felons" policy since Jeremy McRay, now 21, is his son.

Following Jeremy's September 2015 arrest, McRay was put on paid administrative leave during an investigation into whether he knew about his son's involvement in the burglary. McRay was stripped of all police powers and forced to relinquish his badge, police ID and weapon, causing him to suffer "humiliation, fear and damage to his stellar reputation" as an officer, the suit claims.

He claims Bolingbrook officials took action against him in "retaliation" for "exercising his constitutional right to maintain his relationship with his son" and claims he fully cooperated with the investigation.

After the investigation, McRay was fully reinstated, only to fall under scrutiny again after Jeremy McRay allegedly hosted the party at his Bolingbrook home three months later.

McRay claims he had given his son his garage access code so that Jeremy could feed his dogs while he was on vacation in Arizona, and claims the party was held without his knowledge or approval. During the party, a woman alleges she was sexually assaulted by another male at the party and battered by Jeremy McRay. Items including Sgt. McRay's police hat, shield and badge that he retained after being promoted to sergeant were also allegedly stolen from the home.

Sgt. McRay said he did not learn of the alleged crimes at his home until he returned home from Arizona.

He claims he was targeted not only because of his association with his son, but also because he is black, alleging, "the Village has a history and custom and practice of disciplining African-American employees of the police department more harshly than non-African-American employees who were similarly-situated."

McRay is seeking seeks punitive damages for retaliation, conspiracy and violation of his right to equal protection.

Village of Bolingbrook Attorney Jim Boan said the village does not comment on pending litigation, but appeared to dispute McRay's claim that he was let go last month, saying police and fire officials have not yet made a decision in McRay's case.

"McRay testified on March 13th at Fire and Police Board meeting," Boan said in an email to Patch. "The disciplinary hearing was then closed. The Fire and Police Board has 25 days to issue its final decision."

McRay's suit names Ross, along with Deputy Chief Kenneth Teppel, Cmdr. Michael Rompa, Lt. Richard Hilliard, Cmdr. Dennis Hess and Supervisor Linda Laketa.

READ McRAY'S FULL COURT FILING:

Photo: Jeremy McRay, son of Bolingbrook Police Sgt. Willie McRay