Chicago alderman accuses police officer of racism after getting traffic ticket

(CBS) CHICAGO - Alderman Roberto Maldonado filed a complaint accusing a Chicago police officer of racism after he was ticketed for illegally passing a turning a vehicle, CBS Chicago reports.

Maldonado says he was stopped at a traffic light on May 1 when the car in front of him was turning left. Instead of waiting for the turn to be completed, Maldonado said he drove his 2004 Honda Pilot around the turning car on the right.

About a mile from the intersection, Maldonado said he was pulled over by a Hispanic Chicago police who ultimately decided to let him go after a brief discussion with the alderman.

Maldonado said he was staring to leave when a second officer knocked on his driver's side window and opened up the door of his SUV.

"This was a white officer. He was belligerent and disrespectful. He said, 'No. Give me your driver's license back. I'm going [to] give you as many tickets as I can," Maldonado recalled to CBS Chicago.

"I said, 'You're being completely disrespectful. I settled with the other officer and now you're coming with this? You're acting racist. I feel discriminated by you.'"

Maldonado told the station he is not complaining about receiving a ticket, but rather about the white officer's alleged racist attitude and the way he "mistreated" him.

"I was with my kids. It was very delicate and uncomfortable for me. I felt belittled by this officer," the alderman told the station.

Maldonado was appointed to the City Council in July 2009 and spent the previous 15 years on the Cook County Board.

The Chicago Police Department declined to comment.