Woman files lawsuit against cop, city

This is the second federal lawsuit filed against Kovach.

STAFF REPORT

WARREN — Heidi Gill, the woman Tasered by Warren Patrolman Richard Kovach last September at Up A Creek Tavern, has filed suit against Kovach, the city, the Warren police chief and Warren safety director in federal court.

The suit says Kovach’s actions, which were videotaped and shown on national television afterward, caused her to experience dizziness, blackouts, seizures, loss of vision, severe depression, post-traumatic stress and severe pain of her entire body.

The suit names Police Chief John Mandopoulos and Safety Director William “Doug” Franklin, alleging they failed to provide adequate training and supervision to Kovach on the proper way to subdue citizens during arrests.

The suit seeks an unspecified amount of damages.

It was filed in U.S. District Court in Youngstown by Atty. Mark A. Hanni of Youngstown.

Kovach served a 60-day suspension for his actions during the Gill arrest.

It’s the second federal lawsuit filed against Kovach in recent months.

In December, Tim Brown II sued Kovach, the city, Mandopoulos and unidentified officers for actions taken against him when Kovach stopped and searched his vehicle without permission Aug. 23, 2007. It was determined that Kovach knew Brown was not a suspect in a murder investigation.

Kovach was fired over the Brown incident, but an arbitrator later gave him his job back with back pay. Kovach is currently on special assignment for Mandopoulos.