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Mark Westrum (D. Lobkowicz photo, LCN file) |
By Charlotte Boynton
Attorney Peter Marchesi, the defense attorney in the Two Bridges Jail lawsuit said, “The case has been resolved. Judgment has been entered by the court in favor of TBRJ, Mark Westrum and Richard Thompson.
“There was nothing to the case against TBRJ, Westrum and Richard Thompson. This was borne out through discovery, hence the plaintiff agreed to have judgment entered in favor of those defendants,” Marchesi said Tuesday morning.
Former Two Bridges inmate Amanda Hayes, 34, of Dixfield, filed a lawsuit alleging that her civil rights were violated when she was sexually assaulted while an inmate at the facility from Aug. 31, 2011 until March 31, 2012.
According to court documents, Hayes alleged that she was subject to repeated sexual advances by Correctional Officer Brian Bossie that resulted in her being sexually assaulted in her cell, and further alleged that Bossie’s supervisors Westrum and Thompson knew of Bossie’s sexual advances on her and failed to protect her.
According to Marchesi, when the complaint was received nearly a month after the incident, an investigation was done the same day.
As a result of the investigation, Bossie was a probationary employee and his employment with Two Bridges was terminated. The information from the investigation was turned over to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, which resulted in Bossie being charged with assault and unlawful touching.
According to court records Bossie pleaded guilty to those charges, which were dismissed, being deferred for further disposition.
Hayes alleged, because of her rights violation, she suffered emotional distress, pain and suffering, anxiety, fear, humiliation, mental anguish and loss of enjoyment for life’s daily activities, according to court documents.
Hayes sought an award of compensatory and punitive damages, payment of attorney fees, and all other monetary and equitable relief the court would find appropriate, according to the court documents.
Westrum reported to the jail authority at their meeting Jan. 8 that the lawsuit has been adjudicated in favor of Two Bridges, Thompson, and himself, and plaintiff’s allegations were dismissed. Plaintiff received no monetary compensation.
During a telephone interview on Tuesday morning Westrum said, “Obviously, we were very pleased with the result, but we knew from the beginning we had done nothing wrong.”
