Former Dispatcher Loses Civil Suit Against Town

The attorney for a former Bridgewater Township police dispatcher said his client may appeal a jury's verdict Thursday that ruled in favor of the township in a civil suit.

Brian Cige, attorney for former police dispatcher Patricia Del Vecchio, said his client is seriously looking at appealing the verdict in the civil suit against the township, purchasing agent William Conniff and Bridgewater Township Police Chief Richard Borden.

"It's fair to say we were surprised and very disappointed [in the verdict]," he said.

An eight-person jury found unanimously in favor of Bridgewater Thursday in a civil suit filed by Del Vecchio, who alleged the township used her medical condition to eventually fire her in 2009.

Cige said the civil suit was based on the fact that Del Vecchio was retaliated against when she requested accommodations because of her medical condition.

"We need to look closer at what the legal basis would be [for an appeal], but clearly we think evidence supported a verdict in favor of her," he said.

In addition, Cige said, they objected to a ruling the judge made during the four-week trial that prevented Del Vecchio's treating doctors from giving opinions concerning her medical condition.

"We think we might want the appellate court to look at that," he said. "Right now we are letting the dust settle."

According to Chief Richard Borden, the verdict came back as "no cause" in favor of the township, Conniff and Borden himself, all of whom were named as defendants in the civil suit.

The court proceedings lasted four weeks, according to an article on c-n.com, with Del Vecchio alleging that the township used her irritable bowel syndrome as a way to force her into a new work position at lower pay, subject her to a hostile work environment and fire her.

The township, the article said, alleged that the former police dispatcher used her medical condition as an excuse to tailor her work schedules in any way she wanted.

In February 2008, according to the article, Del Vecchio was offered a choice to either transfer to a records clerk position or be let go—this came after clashing with administration often over her scheduling, which doctors said would suit her condition better if she worked a more regular shift.

Del Vecchio, the article said, took the new position, but was fired in September 2009 for supposedly surpassing her allotment of 15 sick days.

Borden said the police department and township support its employees, but the verdict was fair.

"The jury spoke, and justice was served in the case," he said. "We just spoke the truth and we were fair throughout the entire process."

"We support our employees, and I believe that came across to the jury," he added.