Bristol Borough settled two lawsuits with a former police officer who filed claims in federal and county courts claiming work place harassment and discrimination, professional humiliation and embarrassment.
Council President Ralph Ralph DiGuiseppe confirmed to Lower Bucks Source the decision to settle the legal actions was made Friday, however, he said he didn’t have the settlement number specifics.
Our insurance company recommended we settle the cases, DiGuiseppe added.
“We’ll be going over the details in the executive session before tomorrow nights council meeting,” he said.
Borough Manager James Dillon and former Chief of Police Steve Henry, were scheduled to be deposed late last month. A Special Settlement Master was appointed due to deadlocked talks, according to federal court records, in August.
Council is expected to approve the settlements, and will vote on a resolution tonight, according to the meeting agenda published Sunday.
Gross sued the police department, borough, Mayor Joseph Saxton, then Chief of Police Steve Henry and Borough Manager James Dillon for wrongful termination and retaliation asking for damages in excess of $50,000, according to court documents filed in 2020 in a civil county claim.
Gross was injured on the job in March of 2014 when a Bristol woman, Stephanie McCleary, rammed his marked police cruiser several times as he was attempting to stop her from getting on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, causing a number of injuries to his back, neck, and traumatizing him court records show.
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Gross suffered “traumatic injuries” including but not limited to: a traumatic brain injury, major depression, post traumatic stress disorder, disc herniation, lumbar disc protrusion, caused by the vehicular assault, the suit says.
The Police Cruiser officer Gross was driving when slammed by Stephanie McCleary in 2014
Gross suffered “traumatic injuries” including but not limited to: a traumatic brain injury, major depression, post traumatic stress disorder, disc herniation, lumbar disc protrusion, caused by the vehicular assault, the suit says.
Gross returned to work in 2017 according to court documents and alleged work place hostility from borough officials and supervisory officers.
After returning back to the job, assigned to desk duty Gross says he suffered “severe and pervasive disability discrimination, harassment and retaliation,…during the course and scope of his employment with BBPD.”
Gross’ physician determined he was unable to return to work due to his post-traumatic stress disorder and depression in January of 2019.
Weinberg wrote in legal filings, Gross was targeted, intimidated and harassed, by the borough and its police officials when fully aware that he was suffering from medical and mental health disabilities, and used that information in deciding to terminate the former officer.
Gross was seeking at least $150,00.00 in damages, back pay, front pay, equitable and injunctive relief, plus costs and expenses in the federal lawsuit.
Gross served as a Bristol Police officer for approximately seven years, borough records show. He currently resides in the Bensalem area, with his wife and children.
Requests for comment were yet to be responded to by Gross’ attorneys- Lou Hornstine and Marc Weinberg. Additionally comment requests were also sent to Dillon and Chris Gerber of SIANA Law
Credit: Submitted
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