ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Two Allentown officers’ lawsuit alleging widespread criminal activity by their colleagues will not see its day in Lehigh County Court after they withdrew their claims last month.
But Dennis Charles, who is representing officers Randy Fey and David Howells III, told LehighValleyNews.com on Wednesday that he plans to refile the suit in federal court.
Fey and Howells in July filed a 47-page whistleblower lawsuit that alleges officers within the Vice and Intelligence Unit committed numerous crimes, including theft and prostitution.
The officers say they were removed from that unit after repeatedly trying to report other officers to their supervisors. Howells also alleges he was demoted to patrolman, which is the lowest rank in the Allentown Police Department.
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission now is investigating the officers’ claims of retaliation by Allentown police officials. They must wait for that process to “run its administrative course” before suing the department in federal court.Dennis Charles, attorney for officers Randy Fey and David Howells
The suit names 17 Allentown police officials, including Chief Charles Roca and former Chiefs Glenn Granitz, Glen Dorney and Keith Morris; five assistant chiefs and six captains.
Lehigh County Judge Zachary Cohen dismissed the suit in October.
But Charles asked the courts to reconsider, arguing the case was dismissed over a missing signature and not its merits.
Lawyers for the Allentown Police...
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