Woman To Sue Long Branch For $1M Over Cop's Groping: Report

LONG BRANCH, N.J. — At attorney for the woman who was groped by a then-Long Branch cop at a police promotion party filed notice that she intends to sue the city for more than $1 million, according to the Asbury Park Press.

Patrick D. Joyce pleaded guilty April 4 to offensively touching a 21-year-old woman at a Feb. 1 party at Jack's Goal Line Stand. Joyce agreed to step down from his position as part of the plea agreement and cannot work in any public employment in New Jersey, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office said.

Read more: Long Branch Cop Pleads Guilty To Harassing Woman, Steps Down

Attorney John Perrone filed the legal notice April 15 on the woman's behalf. The notice contains graphic allegations against Joyce. It claims Joyce stuck his hand down her pants and that other officers at the party did nothing to stop him or help her, according to the Asbury Park Press.

“This wasn’t a city-sponsored event," Louis Rainone, attorney for the city, told the Asbury Park Press. “There were city employees there, but they were all off-duty, and other than that, we don’t really have much comment on pending litigation."

The Long Branch Police Department suspended Joyce after the incident.

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