Sheriff’s deputy cleared of sex charges

A Cook County sheriff ’s deputy was acquitted this week on a slew of sex charges leveled against him more than two years ago.

Luke Hatzipetros, 45, was facing several charges, including criminal sexual assault and criminal sexual abuse, after a former girlfriend’s daughter accused him of inappropriately touching her on multiple occasions.

On Monday, Cook County Judge Alfredo Maldonado found Hatzipetros not guilty on all counts following a bench trial.

At his bond hearing in 2019, prosecutors said Lake County officials were also investigating a claim that Hatzipetros had touched the same minor inappropriately at a pool in their jurisdiction, and allegations made by another girl.

Neither of those investigations resulted in charges, Hatzipetros’ defense attorney Jonathan Bedi said Tuesday.

“We were confident from the start of this case we were going to prevail,” Bedi said in an emailed statement. “I am grateful the court saw truth and found my client not guilty.”

Cook County prosecutors declined to comment.

The sheriff ’s office started an internal investigation into the allegations against Hatzipetros a month before criminal charges were filed, resulting in Hatzipetros being “de-deputized” and placed on administrative leave without pay in February 2019.

The office then sought to fire Hatzipetros in November that year. The case is still pending before the sheriff ’s office Merit Board.