Policy

Woman Claims Police Retaliation for Reporting Cop Sleeping on the Job

Had her husband arrested, according to lawsuit

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After a Downingtown, Penn., woman reported seeing a local police officer asleep on the job, the officer retaliated by having the woman's husband arrested, claims a lawsuit filed last week against the Chester County borough.

The lawsuit, filed Friday in U.S. District Court, accuses a veteran Downingtown police detective, Pamela Fentner, of violating Joseph Long's rights by arresting him on charges of defrauding the Federal Emergency Management Agency after Hurricane Irene hit in 2011. Long, 37, a Gulf War veteran and father of four, lost many of his possessions due to flood damage from the August storm and had to move, said his attorney, Charles J. DiOrio. The following month, Long was charged with theft by deception and other violations after Fentner called FEMA employees to discuss Long's claim. Those charges were later dropped for lack of evidence, court records show.

(Hat tip to Reason Hit & Run commenter SloopyinCa)