A retired New Hanover police officer, and former magisterial district judge candidate, is suing the township, its manager, the police department, his former chief and his former political opponent.

            Dennis A. Psota claims that Police Chief Kevin McKeon and Manager Jamie Gwynn had intentionally referred him for inclusion on a nationwide database of questionable police officers in order to prejudice his chances to win the race for District Judge 32-2-03 in the township, according to the civil suit filed Sept. 17 in the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court.

            Psota, who resides in neighboring Douglass Township, claims actions by the defendants were retaliation for his actions as a whistleblower. Facing termination from the New Hanover department in December of 2018, the officer decided to retire, according to the legal document.  

            The suit claims that the campaign arm of incumbent District Judge Maurice Saylor – the plaintiff's opponent in the 2019 General Election – released a political mailer referencing an April 3, 2019 letter from Deputy District Attorney Steven J. Latzer to McKeon that wrongfully impugned Psota's honesty. The 54-page document states that the DA's office recommends the termination due to "…allegations of dishonesty on the part of Officer Psota."

            A lawyer for the plaintiff states that McKeon violated his reputation by placing Psota on the Brady List "as a law enforcement official not deemed to be a trustworthy witness." The officer also claims the referral was completed without sufficient due process.

            Psota seeks relief in terms of wages, employment benefits or other compensation denied or lost by the violation, equitable relief such as reinstatement to the department and related fringe benefits and seniority rights, a reasonable attorney's fee, witness fees, the plaintiff's expert witness fees, punitive damages, an additional amount for the tax consequences for an award and other costs of action.

            According to the suit, McKeon's enmity towards the plaintiff originates from an incident when Psota reported an incident of a sergeant for submitting time for which he did not work. Since then, he was the victim of a pattern of harassment from McKeon that led to his "constructive termination."

            Those actions include officers, at the direction of the chief, telling another officer not to talk to Psota because he was a rat and could not be trusted; McKeon ignored the plaintiff and did demeaning activities to him. The chief also filed a complaint against the plaintiff's wife at her place of work because she did not say "Hi" to him, according to the document.

            On Sept. 17, 2017, McKeon filed discipline against Psota following a traffic stop involving a horse trailer that the officer allowed to be driven from the scene. On Oct. 13, the chief filed discipline charges against the plaintiff for reporting his harassment to a township supervisor.

            The retaliation culminated on Nov. 20, 2018, when McKeon claimed Psota lied to him about his presence at a speed trap at the New Hanover Township Recreation Center. The chief claimed the plaintiff was out of the township or at home.

            However, the lawsuit alleges that Psota arrived at the location, and the officer he was supposed to meet was not there. During the period of traffic duty, the plaintiff responded to a radio call he received for a bank alarm in Douglass Township, according to the legal filing.

            Video recorded at the recreation center shows that the plaintiff reported as required. McKeon and Gwynn were informed of the evidence but moved forward with plans to terminate Psota. Municipal officials have yet to release the video despite numerous requests, according to the legal paperwork.

            In May of 2019, the officer filed an unemployment claim. Township officials decided to file an appeal.