Cop Claims Sexual Harassment By Superior In Union County: Lawsuit

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ — A Scotch Plains Police Officer filed a lawsuit against the Township and a Captain in the police department, who she claims started a rumor that she had a sexual relationship with another officer.

Krysti Janusz, who has been a police officer since Feb. 1, 2021, claims that the following summer she heard from multiple supervisors that her superior Captain David Lavery started a rumor that she was engaged in a sexual relationship with another officer.

The lawsuit alleges that Janusz and the other officer "have never been involved in an intimate relationship."

Janusz claims that Lavery continued to pay special, unwanted attention to her.

"Lavery seemed overly concerned with Plaintiff’s comings and goings in general and was trying to insert himself into Plaintiff’s life," according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit alleges Lavery then began commenting on Janusz's looks and began text messaging her.

"The first inappropriate message Lavery sent to Plaintiff was a screenshot of a photo of Plaintiff in uniform with girl scout cookies with words from Lavery stating 'Lookin Good'," according to the lawsuit.

Janusz claims the rumors of her having an intimate relationship with another officer became so prevalent that it negatively impacted her relationship with her then-live-in boyfriend.

"Plaintiff and her boyfriend argued repeatedly about the rumors and, in the end, they terminated their relationship, largely because of the rumors that Lavery had begun," according to the lawsuit.

Janusz initially filed the lawsuit in April, but it was dismissed on Aug. 5. However, Janusz was given 20 days to file an amended lawsuit which she did on Aug. 12.

On Aug. 20, a response denying Janusz's claims was filed by Angeli, Natalia, Rawan of Botta Angeli, LLC on behalf of the Township and Lavery.

The lawsuit claims that "Lavery’s conduct in giving Plaintiff unwanted attention, and initiating and propagating a rumor that Plaintiff was having sex with another officer created a hostile work environment."

It also claims Janusz "suffered severe emotional distress and physical manifestations of emotional distress as a direct and proximate result of [Lavery's] unlawful conduct."

Janusz is seeking compensatory damages, including but not limited to, damages for economic losses, back pay, front pay, lost wages and overtime, pain and suffering, severe emotional distress, and psychological injury.

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