The Advertiser (New Iberia, La.)
New Iberia, La. (AP) -- Jeanerette police knew an officer named in a sexual harassment lawsuit had a prior theft conviction when they hired him, according to newly filed papers in the case.
Allison Polk, manager of a Dollar General store, is seeking unspecified damages in a lawsuit against officer Anthony Gibson.
Polk has now added a request for damages from the city of Jeanerette for allegedly being negligent for hiring the officer.
Gibson admitted having a felony theft conviction in the 1990s and later having the charge expunged from his record, according to a deposition filed in the case on Friday in state court in Iberia Parish.
Polk’s attorney, Clay Burgess, said in court papers that city officials were aware of the theft charge but still hired Polk.
Mayor Arthur Verret said the city did a background check and conducted psychological tests on Gibson, who still works as an officer.
He said Gibson’s background check showed no charges and his psychological tests indicated no problems.
“We did our job. We did a background check,” Verret said. “When the record is expunged, there is no record.”
Verret said that Gibson also received favorable reviews from former employers.
According to the lawsuit, Gibson informed Police Chief Morman Alexander about the expunged charge. Alexander and Gibson did not return phone messages left for them at the police station on Sunday.
Polk alleges in the lawsuit that Gibson came into her workplace several times a day making lewd comments.
The lawsuit also claims that Gibson would touch Polk on her arms and shoulders, against her wishes, and that the officer pinned her against a wall in the employee break room on one occasion.
Gibson could not be reached for comment.