Part of former South Connellsville police chief’s wrongful termination lawsuit dismissed
A federal judge dismissed part of the wrongful termination lawsuit filed by the former South Connellsville police chief.
U.S. District Judge Marilyn J. Horan granted a partial motion to dismiss a portion of the suit that alleged the termination harmed Russell Miller’s reputation. Miller, fired last year, sued the borough and council members Jerry Reagan, Don Ringer, Mary Riley and George Jay.
The suit claimed that Miller was fired because the police department increased DUI enforcement patrols near the South Connellsville Firemen’s Club in late 2015. Miller contended members and supporters of the club harassed him and threatened his termination.
The suit alleged some of those club supporters were elected to borough council and demanded Miller’s termination at public meetings, accusing him of not following time card procedures as the reason.
Along with that count being dismissed, Horan noted that Miller withdrew another count that made similar due process allegations, leaving three other counts in his complaint in dispute.
Miller remains a defendant in two ongoing federal lawsuits that allege civil rights and other violations. Three other federal lawsuits lodged against him have been dismissed.
Last month, state Deputy Attorney General L. Todd Goodwin dropped criminal charges of official oppression against Miller, citing insufficient evidence as the reason for dismissing the case.