News from 2011
Judge denies preliminary injunction sought against Wells Fargo Center by animal activists
A federal judge in Philadelphia has denied a motion for preliminary judgment that had been filed by two members of an animal rights organization seeking to enjoin the owners of the Wells Fargo Center from enforcing its policy prohibiting picketing on the sidewalks adjacent to the Philadelphia entertainment venue.
Former communications director sues KYW 1060 for sexual harassment
A former marketing and communications director for KYW Newsradio 1060 in Philadelphia has filed a discrimination complaint against the station’s parent company, alleging she endured pervasive sexual harassment and demeaning treatment from the time of her hiring in the spring of 2009 until her firing last summer.
Philly Traffic Court judge relieved of duties following sexual harassment allegation
A controversial Philadelphia Traffic Court judge whose driver’s license had been suspended through 2011 because of numerous motor vehicle violations, but who had nonetheless secured election to the municipal bench, has been relieved of duties following an alleged incident of sexual harassment, according to local news reports.
Fired Greyhound manager files retaliatory discharge claim
A former Philadelphia manager for the Greyhound bus company is suing the transportation company in federal court, alleging that his termination after two years on the job was retaliatory in nature.
Family of inmate suicide victim sues city and police department
The family of a Philadelphia man who committed suicide by hanging himself while being held in a jail cell at a city police district last winter has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the City of Philadelphia and its police department, alleging officials didn’t do enough to try and prevent the man’s death.
Animal rights activist files civil rights claim against Philly cop over protest arrest
An animal rights activist who claims he was wrongfully arrested two years ago after protesting outside of a South Philadelphia Whole Foods store has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the City of Philadelphia and the police officer who took him into custody.
Former code enforcement officer sues Glenolden Borough for wrongful termination
A former code enforcement officer for Glenolden Borough, Pa. who alleges he was let go from his position because of discriminatory reasons has filed a complaint against the municipality in federal court.
False arrest leads to civil rights claim against Philadelphia Police
The City of Philadelphia has been hit with a federal civil rights complaint relating to a mother and son’s allegations that the teenager was wrongfully and forcefully arrested by city police last winter in a case of mistaken identity.
Superior Court vacates sentence of Pa. man convicted of gun violations
Pennsylvania’s second-highest appellate court this week vacated the sentence of a man who was found guilty of firearms violations during a trial in state court last year.
Phila. jury awards $11.36 million in aviation negligence case
Two Ohio residents who had sued an aviation maintenance company in 2009 following a plane crash in which each suffered significant physical injuries were awarded a jury verdict of $11,358,000 after a two-week trial at Philadelphia Common Pleas Court last week.
Judge dismisses wrongful arrest claim against Cheltenham Township Police
A federal judge in Philadelphia granted a motion by Cheltenham Township and its police chief to dismiss a lawsuit that had been brought about by two men who had claimed their respective arrests two summers ago violated their constitutional rights.
Phila. junk hauler files claim against cops over false arrest and three-month incarceration
A Philadelphia junk hauler who claims he was wrongfully arrested by city cops this summer, and subsequently imprisoned for a three-month period, after what he claims was a misunderstanding over his hiring to remove items from a residential property in the city, has filed a lawsuit against the arresting officers in state court.
Fired community relations director sues Temple University for discrimination
A former community relations official at Temple University who alleges he was fired from his position for biased reasons has filed a federal job discrimination lawsuit against the Philadelphia-based college.
Toyota hit with product liability claim following death of elderly Pa. driver
The family of an elderly woman who died as a result of injuries she allegedly sustained after crashing her car into a concrete barrier early last year has filed a product liability complaint against Toyota Motor Corp.
Pa. only state to prohibit expert witness testimony in sexual abuse cases
The outcome of Jerry Sandusky’s highly anticipated criminal trial, which is expected to take place sometime late next year, could very well hinge on a little known provision in Pennsylvania law.
Fired Lower Merion teacher files civil rights claim against school district
A former suburban Philadelphia physics teacher, who was fired from his position in 2010 after 13 years on the job following what he said were false allegations made by a former student of sexual abuse, has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the Lower Merion School District and various school officials.
Pa. prison inmate sues over alleged failure to detect spinal abscess
A Pennsylvania prison inmate who claims that prison medical staff failed to properly and timely diagnosis a spinal abscess that eventually led to the man having to have surgery has filed a federal complaint against those entrusted to his care while behind bars.
Pa. Superior Court overturns 'sex-for-tickets' attempted prostitution conviction
A state appellate court on Tuesday overturned the attempted prostitution conviction of a West Philadelphia woman who made international headlines after her trial in Bucks County, Pa. Common Pleas Court in March 2010 on charges that she offered to sell her body for tickets to a 2009 World Series game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Yankees.
Three sentenced in federal home loan fraud
Three men who pleaded guilty to fraud and kickbacks related to a government home loan program were sentenced in federal court last week.
Developer in 'Kids for Cash' judicial scandal agrees to settle outstanding civil cases for $17.75 million
The developer at the heart of the so-called “Kids for Cash” judicial scandal that took place earlier last decade in Luzerne County, Pa. has filed court papers signifying that he has agreed to settle all civil claims arising from the case, in which juveniles were sent to privately-run detention centers for minor offenses by judges who were on-the-take.