Former Uniontown officer sues after acquittal on assault charges
A former Uniontown police officer acquitted of assaulting a man at a house party accused his former chief, the chief of the department that filed charges and the alleged victim of conspiring to file false charges against him.
Nicholas Zocco, of Perryopolis, filed the federal lawsuit earlier this month, naming Uniontown Chief Delbert DeWitt, German Township Chief Zachary Kodric and Zachary Williams of Hopwood. Williams accused Zocco of punching him in the face at a July 2023 party in Menallen Township. Zocco was off duty at the time.
After the charges were filed, Zocco, who joined the Uniontown police force in 2015 after being honorably discharged from the Marine Corps, was placed on administrative leave. He resigned from the force that September.
According to court paperwork filed in the criminal case, Zocco told investigators he acted in self-defense. Williams, who fell and hit his head, told police he had no memory of the events leading up to the incident.
This February, a Fayette County jury found Zocco not guilty on all charges — a felony count of aggravated assault and misdemeanor charges of simple assault, reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct.
The lawsuit stated the charges resulted in Zocco losing his job and his pension, and has left him unable to secure another position as a police officer.
“As a result of the false criminal charges, (Zocco) has sustained financial losses in the form of attorneys’ fees as well as severe pain, suffering and humiliation,” the suit said. “(Zocco) continues to endure pain, suffering, humiliation and other residual effects of Defendants’ conduct to this day and will continue to do so in the future.”
Zocco alleged DeWitt, Kodric, whose department filed the charges, and Williams all knew the charges were false. Additionally, the suit said, they failed to include information that would have exonerated Zocco.
“Defendants acted intentionally and with malice to harm (Zocco), were motivated by bad faith and malice, intended to harm (Zocco) through the false criminal charges and deliberately violated (Zocco’s) rights under the U.S. Constitution,” the lawsuit said.
The suit seeks monetary damages, court costs and attorney fees.
Uniontown Solicitor Tim Witt said he could not comment on the suit, as he had not received it, but “will review it diligently upon receipt.” Tuesday night, German Township Solicitor Vince Tiberi said he had not seen the suit.
A number could not be located for Williams.