Published: September 15, 2008 04:13 pm      

Officials: city believes lawsuit without merit

Ada — City council members will be discussing a pending lawsuit against the city at Monday’s city council meeting.

The lawsuit was originally filed in Pontotoc County District Court by Genia J. Wright, 30, and will now be heard in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. Wright was arrested on suspicion of obtaining a controlled dangerous substance by fraud in March 2007.

According to a civil petition filed by Wright, she claims her constitutional and civil rights were violated before and during the arrest. She is demanding $125,000 for compensatory damages, $100,000 for punitive damages, attorney’s fees and “other relief deemed to be just and equitable.”

She accused Captain Jeff Crosby of conducting an illegal investigation by accessing Wright’s confidential health care information. Wright said the case against her was dismissed for lack of probable cause.

Wright claims Crosby violated her “freedom of movement, to wit by arresting and handcuffing her hands behind her back, transporting her to the city of Ada police station where she was detained in a cell.”

She is alleging battery, saying she was intentionally, harmfully and offensively touched while being handcuffed. Wright said in the civil petition, “The emotional distress sustained by (her) was severe and of a nature that no reasonable woman could be expected to endure.”

“We believe the lawsuit is without merit,” City of Ada Public Information Officer Mark Bratcher said. “We intend to vigorously defend it.”

City council will enter into executive session during the meeting to discuss the pending litigation. After a private discussion with attorneys, city council will designate a representative, “with full settlement authority,” to attend the settlement conference.