Officers raided building without warrant and forced women to expose themselves, 20 plaintiffs allege

 A federal lawsuit was filed Wednesday alleging Chicago police officers mistreated patrons of a Northwest Side club during a raid last month, including holding them at gunpoint, stomping and kicking them and forcing women to expose themselves to male officers during searches.

The incident unfolded late on May 30 and early May 31 at the La Familia Motorcycle social club in the 2500 block of West Fullerton Avenue, according to the suit, which was filed on behalf of 20 patrons who say police abused them.

The suit alleges that during a birthday party for a 22-year-old female plaintiff, officers raided the establishment without a warrant, held the patrons at gunpoint, and used "flash grenades" and zip-tie handcuffs to subdue them.

It also alleges some officers "searched and exposed female Plaintiffs [sic] breasts and private areas in front of male Plaintiffs and male officers, searched purses, broke open a safe" and stole money from coin-operated video games.

Surveillance cameras caught much of the incident, the suit alleges, but once police noticed the cameras, they pointed them at the ceiling.

No illegal drugs or weapons were found, according to the suit.

The suit names Chicago, the Chicago Police Department and "various unknown officers." It seeks unspecified damages for excessive force, unreasonable search and seizure of property and abuse of power.

Police spokesman David Banks said his office could not comment on pending litigation.

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