Veteran Donora police officer suing borough over defamation claim

By JEFF STITT
jstitt@yourmvi.com

A veteran Donora police officer is suing the borough for defamation over claims the police superintendent sent a derogatory-filled text message about him that is damaging his reputation.
Officer Keith Charlton, who has been with the Donora police department for 32 years, claims police Superintendent James Brice used derogatory names to describe him in a text message that was allegedly sent to former council president Joe Greco on April 19, according to a civil suit filed in the Washington County Court of Common Pleas.
Charlton, who is represented by attorney Clark A. Mitchell, is demanding a jury trial and damages in excess of $50,000.
The lawsuit claims Charlton is a victim of defamation/libel and that Brice, his supervisor, intended to create “a sense of false light” about the officer’s character and reputation.
Charlton alleges Brice met with Councilman Michael McDowell, who is now council president, and Greco, the former council president, on April 19 to discuss a scheduling request from Charlton to work daylight shift Mondays through Fridays. The councilmen approved Charlton’s request, court records state.
That same evening, Greco contacted Charlton, informing him he had received a text message from Brice he believed was meant for another borough police officer.
In that text message, Brice allegedly stated the councilmen decided Charlton would be working daylight shifts during the week and that the other officer would be working daylight on Saturdays and Sundays. Brice also allegedly referred to Charlton as a “baby” and used two derogatory terms to describe him in the text, according to the civil complaint.

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