GAHANNA, Ohio -- A Gahanna police officer is suing his own police department, its two top administrators, and the City of Gahanna, alleging they are responsible for "a humiliating and intolerable working environment."
In a lawsuit filed last week in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Officer Ron Fithen and his wife Beth ask for at least $3.5 million in damages, plus attorney's fees.
The lawsuit contends Officer Fithen was harassed after his wife decided to pose naked in Playboy magazine in January 2008.
The Fithens contend that photo shoot lead to a "sham investigation" of the entire Fithen family that "did not result in a single criminal charge and caused (Fithen) and his family extreme emotional distress and embarrassment."
"Your employer runs an investigation and actually assigns a full-time officer to follow you around after the issue because of an alleged theft investigation. I think that goes beyond the realm of reasonableness," said John Sherrod, Fithen's attorney.
The suit says at one point, Deputy Police Chief Ken Bell asked Ron Fithen for a copy of the magazine his wife appeared in, as well as her autograph. The Fithens say they provided both to Bell.
"It just became unbearable for the officer. He was repeatedly asked for the issue of Playboy. Ever since his wife posed for Playboy, it's just been an unbearable environment for him to be in," Sherrod said.
The suit also alleges the City of Gahanna and the police department refused to pay Ron Fithen for time spent training on weekends for the Ohio Army National Guard.
Gahanna city spokesperson Brian Hoyt said the city, police department, and two men named in the lawsuit would not make comment. A lawyer representing the City of Gahanna says he is reviewing the lawsuit, but stressed the city's support for military members.
Ron Fithen has been on injury leave since July 30. He filed a worker's compensation claim last Wednesday -- one day after his attorney filed the lawsuit.
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