Suit claims love triangle led to Pa. state trooper charges

HUNTINGDON, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania State Trooper has sued a county prosecutor, claiming a love triangle led the district attorney to instigate an assault and burglary case against him.

The federal suit filed July 29 by Timothy Lear against Huntingdon County District Attorney George Zanic also names three other state troopers and his then-girlfriend.

Lear’s suit claims Zanic had an intimate relationship with Lear’s girlfriend and urged her to pursue charges. Lear was cleared at trial but he says he’s still being kept on restricted duty.

Zanic says his decision to refer the case to the state Attorney General’s office in 2009 was “appropriate and necessary.” He says he played no role in the prosecution and that the suit “relies more on personal attacks than on legal merit.”

The suit was first reported by WJAC-TV.