lawsuit alleges that Gardiner used his capacity as a alderman to have a construction worker arrested after he found a ward workers cell phone that was mistakenly left at a 7-Eleven; in March 2022, a federal judge green lighted the lawsuit to continue. Federal officials are investigating allegations that Gardiner has took bribes and demanded payments for actions. In September 2021, exposed private text messages between Gardiner and Alderman Scott Waguespack revealed Gardiner using disparaging and misogynistic language to describe Waguespack's female chief of staff. The comments were condemned by many Chicago political leaders, including Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Gardiner apologized for the statements. See also List of Chicago aldermen since 1923 References 1976 births American firefighters Chicago City Council members Living people Illinois Independents 21st-century American politicians