SCRANTON - A man arrested for public intoxication says he was verbally and physically abused by a Lackawanna County deputy sheriff while in jail.
Kenneth Eiswerth has filed a lawsuit against the Lackawanna County Sheriff's Department, Lackawanna County, and John P. Ehnot, alleging violations of his civil rights under 42 U.S.C. §§ 1983 and 1985.
The complaint details an alleged incident on March 11, 2023, when Eiswerth was allegedly verbally and physically assaulted by Ehnot while in custody due to his sexual orientation.
Eiswerth had been arrested for public intoxication during Scranton's St. Patrick's Day celebration. Surveillance footage captured Ehnot pushing Eiswerth around the cell during a confrontation, leading to criminal charges against Ehnot that resulted in two years of probation and the loss of his job.
The lawsuit claims that the defendants failed to properly train their officers, leading to excessive force and discrimination. Eiswerth seeks damages exceeding $50,000 for physical, mental, and emotional injuries.
Christopher Piazza of Piazza Law Group represents Eiswerth.