By James V. Franco, The Record (Troy N.Y.)
RENSSELAER, New York -- Claiming he “suffered and will likely suffer ... serious physical, mental and emotional injuries ... extreme mental and emotional distress; depression and anxiety; feelings of helplessness and worthlessness,” among a host of other ailments, Police Chief Rick Fusco is suing the city for $3 million.
The suit, which is basically a civil rights case, names 15 people - including Mayor Mark Pratt, Common Council President Michael Bridgeford, six former police officers and four common councilpersons - as well as the city and Council 82, the union that used to represent police officers.
“I think it is Rick Fusco’s attempt to intimidate people who are still standing up to him,” said Alderwoman Bonnie Lee Hahn, who is named in the suit. “The man operates his department like a tyrant and the select few who have stood up to him are suffering his wrath.”
Hahn, who had not been given a copy of the lawsuit as of Monday evening, said the Common Council will fight the suit “100 percent.”
The suit is the latest volley in a long feud between Fusco and elected officials in the small river city of about 7,000 people. It began in February 2001, when Fusco brought sexual harassment charges against popular former Officer Jeff Leahey. When the department fractured, Fusco took disciplinary action against a number of other officers.
In the past two years, there has been a near complete turnover of rank-and-file cops at the department.
The slighted officers worked hard for Mayor Mark Pratt during his 2001 election. He won, and has been at odds with the chief ever since. Earlier this year, Fusco arrested Pratt for stealing city gas. The charges were tossed out by a judge.
Fusco also arrested Donald Butler, the commissioner of public works, for a similar crime. Those charges are still pending.
The Common Council has also maneuvered to get rid of Fusco. Anti-Fusco forces have a 3-2 advantage on the Board of Public Safety, but so far no action has been taken.
“These people have been asked continuously for the last three years to stop, but that is not the mindset of the Common Council, and certainly not of Mayor Pratt,” Said Fusco, a 29-year veteran. “Maybe they don’t respect my administration or the department or my civil rights, but maybe when we get into a court they will have some respect for the law.”
Fusco, chief since 1995, would not comment on the possibility of settling out of court.