Interim Supt. Eddie Johnson's fiancee under investigation for alleged police exam cheating

CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) - It didn't take long for the honeymoon to end for new Interim Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson.

In fact, a potential scandal involving police exams might be discussed on Johnson’s actual honeymoon. It involves his fiancé.

Some Chicago police officers cramming for tests take classes from national experts, like Doctor Jeff Bernstein. Others find study guides online.

But now, city Inspector General Joe Ferguson is investigating whether a handful of sergeants taking last summer's lieutenant's exam, including the then-girlfriend of new Interim Superintendent Eddie Johnson, got an unfair boost from Deputy Chief Eugene Williams.

The girlfriend is now Superintendent Johnson's fiancé. She passed the exam and became a lieutenant.

“It is a big deal, and mainly, because it comes up so infrequently. I think that last exam was nine years ago. So this is the next opportunity they have to advance their careers,” said James Ade.

Ade, who is the president of the Police Sergeants Association, has been told an IG investigation is underway but he's unaware of the specifics. DNAinfo reports the IG's probe is focusing on whether Deputy Chief Eugene Williams held weekly study classes, despite having helped create the exam. The investigation reportedly knocked Williams out of the running for new superintendent.

As to whether the Superintendent's fiancé was in those study groups, a spokesperson for the Superintendent told FOX 32 "He has publicly stated that he holds every member of the Department to the same set of standards, and should any wrongdoing be found, the Superintendent will take action."

Supporters of Superintendent Johnson hope he's more concerned with other issues.

“Since she's not the superintendent, I'm more concerned the superintendent doing his job, making sure that we solve crimes, making sure that we restore the trust between the police and the community, you know I'll leave that for the tabloids, I have no opinion on it whatsoever,” said Alderman Roderick Sawyer.

As for the mayor's view, a spokesperson told FOX 32 "There are unsubstantiated questions that have been raised about the most recent lieutenants' test and those questions are being looked into, as they should be.”