Lawsuit targets ex-police officer

By ERIC SEIVERLING

eseiverling@yourmvi.com

A Westmoreland County woman is suing a former Monongahela police officer, police chief and the City of Monongahela after she claims one of the officers sexually assaulted her and continued to communicate with her in 2018 while he was on duty.

According to a civil action filed Tuesday with the Washington County Court of Common Pleas, Jesse Cimino, 25, is suing the Monongahela and Union Township police departments, former Monongahela police Chief Brian Tempest and former Monongahela police officer Dustin Devault.

Cimino’s attorney, Jessica Tully of The Lindsay Law Firm, said Cimino chose to reveal her identity to encourage other women to stand up against sexual misconduct.

“She wanted her name out there so she can become a representative for other women to stand forward,” Tully said. “She wanted to make it easier for other women to come forward.”

Tempest retired from the Monongahela Police Department in April 2019.

Cimino’s attorneys, Tully and Alexander Lindsay Jr., say Cimino has suffered physical and emotional injuries after allegedly being assaulted by Devault in June 2018. The lawsuit asks for an unspecified amount of money for her medical expenses and lost future earnings.

According to the civil suit, in June 2018, Cimino was driving with her cousin and a friend on Route 88 in Finleyville when Devault and another officer initiated a traffic stop.

According to the suit, Devault did not issue Cimino a traffic ticket, and Cimino told Devault that she aspired to become a police officer.

The suit states Devault asked Cimino for her phone number and told her he would help her become a police officer.

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