Semenza wants part of suit tossed
SCRANTON - Old Forge Police Chief Larry Semenza wants a federal judge to throw out part of a civil lawsuit filed by a woman who alleges she was sexually abused by the chief when she was 15.
In a motion filed Monday in U.S. District Court, attorneys for Chief Semenza argue a negligence count in the woman's Nov. 9 complaint should be dismissed with respect to the chief. The negligence count is barred under a state law limiting claims against officials acting within the scope of their public duties, the motion said.
The woman, now 23, claims borough officials knew Chief Semenza, another police officer and a volunteer firefighter were sexually assaulting her. All three men are charged criminally in Lackawanna County Court.