Former Weathersfield officer files lawsuit

Staff report

WARREN

A former Weathersfield Township police officer fired in December by trustees has filed a lawsuit challenging allegations made against him, and says township officials discriminated against him because of a medical condition that is protected under the Ohio Civil Rights Act.

Richard Mattessich of Meadow Hill Drive, Mineral Ridge, filed the suit in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court seeking monetary damages of at least $25,000. He names as defendants the township trustees and Police Chief Joseph Consiglio.

The suit says Mattessich had an unspecified disability and that township officials knew about it in late 2010 when they disciplined him for reportedly lying about a fellow police officer.

Mattessich was “suffering from a disabling condition” at the time and was not cleared to return to work until Aug. 29, 2011, he says in the suit. But township officials relied on the opinion of their own medical officials, who deemed Mattessich capable of returning to work, the suit says.

Township officials also engaged in a “pattern and practice of discriminatory treatment” toward Mattessich and engaged in retaliatory conduct toward him, Mattessich said.

Steve Gerberry, a Weathersfield Township trustee, said township officials have been advised by legal counsel not to discuss the matter because it involves pending litigation.

Township officials said they fired Mattessich for lying to supervisers.