Man cites panel’s hostility in lawsuit

A man who was called an “ass” by a member of Spokane’s all-volunteer police review board has filed a lawsuit against the city.

Attorney Jim Sweetser filed a $1 million claim with the city last April on behalf of Robert DeMotte, who said he was treated with hostility by the Spokane Citizens Review Commission when he pursued his complaint against a Spokane police lieutenant.

The city denied the claim, and DeMotte filed suit Feb. 29 in Spokane County Superior Court.

The lawsuit accuses the city of violating the Open Public Meetings Act when it conducted a closed-door review of how the off-duty police officer, Lt. Judi Carl, handled a dispute involving an angry neighbor and six juveniles, including two of her children, on the night of June 4, 2006.

Carl was disciplined with a one-day suspension for “conduct unbecoming” for swearing that night at homeowner Danny Roske, who accused the teens of vandalizing his property and pointed an unloaded gun at them. Roske pleaded guilty to a gross misdemeanor.

The new lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for “severe emotional distress” for being insulted by Marie Yates, a member of the review commission who has since died, and for alleged violations of DeMotte’s constitutional rights.

City attorney Jim Craven said Friday he hadn’t reviewed the new complaint.