A police officer fired after the borough of Jermyn said he failed to renew his first aid certification is suing the borough, the Police Department, the mayor and members of borough council for defamation and violating his constitutional rights, among other claims.
In a lawsuit filed in Lackawanna County Court on Friday, Robert Flynn said his constitutional right to be free from injury of reputation and due process was violated, and that the defendants presented him in a false light, made defamatory statements and gave publicity to his private life.
Mr. Flynn was hired as a police officer by the borough in 1994 and served for 17 years before he was suspended June 24 for not completing his first aid recertification; his position was terminated Sept. 13.
According to the lawsuit, Mr. Flynn was never reprimanded or warned before his termination, and his reputation has been harmed, causing him severe mental anguish.
He is suing for reinstatement, nominal and punitive damages, attorney's fees, delay damages, reformation of employment records and a public apology, among other things, according to the lawsuit.
Contact the writer: ksullivan@timesshamrock.com, @ksullivanTT on Twitter