Claim that man locked ex-boyfriend in closet proved false
Philadelphia police received a false claim last weekend indicating that a man was holding his ex-boyfriend hostage after a break-up, said Officer Tanya Little, a police spokeswoman.
Investigators were able to determine the origin of the 911 call and plan to pursue an arrest warrant for the individual responsible for reporting the false emergency, Little said.
She said she could not yet release the name of the suspect. The investigation is ongoing.
According to authorities, police received a report about 2:45 p.m. Sept. 19 that a 27-year-old man had ended his relationship with a 23-year-old man in a home in the 3700 block of North 16th Street. They were told the younger man retrieved a handgun and locked the older man in a closet.
A SWAT team arrived to evacuate residents and respond to the situation. No one was found in the empty house. The scene was clear about 4 p.m.
Emotional-wellness workshop
The LGBT Elder Initiative is encouraging older adults to overcome isolation and make connections.
The organization is hosting a free Emotional Wellness workshop from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Oct. 3 at The United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, 1709 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.
Discussions include the emotional, social and interpersonal challenges people face as they age. The workshop will focus on ways to maintain positive mental health and nurture connections to community.
For more information or to register, call LGBTEI at 215-720-9415 or email [email protected].
Sims hosts senior fair
Seniors are invited to attend the free 2015 Senior Fair, hosted by state Rep. Brian Sims, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 1 at Temple University Center City, 1515 Market St.
Dozens of vendors will attend to share information on services and programs available in Philadelphia.
For more information, contact Sims’ office at 215-246-1501 or [email protected].
— Paige Cooperstein
City needs another month in cop case request
City officials last week said they need an additional 30 days to divulge the amount of tax dollars expended to settle the antibias case of N. Melville Jones, an openly gay police officer.
On Sept. 8, PGN filed an open-records request for the information. But on Sept. 15, city attorney Jeffrey Cohen said the city needs an additional 30 days to process the request.
Jones, a 17-year police veteran, claimed a supervisor outed him, triggering pervasive antigay bias and harassment. The case was settled on Sept. 2, with an undisclosed amount of money going to Jones, along with a pledge by the city to expand the police force’s LGBT-sensitivity training.
Gay attorney’s state case settled
Jeffrey S. Downs, an openly gay attorney, has settled his state claims of tortious interference and defamation against the law firm Anapol Schwartz, it was announced this week.
The claims were settled on Sept. 8, when a federal retaliation claim filed by Downs against Anapol and another law firm, Raynes McCarty, was settled. This week, a legal document was filed in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court, verifying that Downs’ state claims are officially settled.
Terms of the settlement are confidential.
Downs, 46, allegedly experienced antigay bias when he worked at Anapol from 2008-12. A coworker allegedly called Downs a “faggot,” and other coworkers allegedly uttered comments to the effect that gay men prey on youth, lack families and have substance-abuse issues.
But when Downs tried to get a new job at Raynes, a job offer was withdrawn after Anapol officials allegedly told Raynes officials that Downs planned to sue for antigay workplace bias.
Last spring, Downs lost a jury trial in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court, where he pursued his state claims. But he was seeking a new trial — partly on the basis that the trial judge was biased — prior to settling.
“To make things 100-percent clear, Mr. Downs reached a standard, traditional settlement with all of the defendants,” said John A. Gallagher, an attorney for Downs. “Mr. Downs is very pleased to have these matters behind him and will now return to dedicating all of his time to his busy, growing practice representing individuals and businesses throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. Mr. Downs wishes everyone involved in this litigation well.”
Gallagher didn’t represent Downs when he pursued his state claims. But he represented Downs in the federal matter and subsequent settlement.
Gaetan J. Alfano, an attorney for Anapol, said: “My clients are pleased that the [Common Pleas] jury unanimously vindicated them at trial. They are pleased to put this matter behind them.”
An attorney for Raynes had no comment.
Judge orders deposition in bullying case
A New Jersey state worker who specializes in child-protection issues must give a deposition in the anti-bullying case filed by Thomas Vandergrift, a federal judge has ruled.
Jared K. Owen, an employee of the New Jersey Division of Children and Families, has been ordered to give a deposition in the case, ruled U.S. Magistrate Judge Joel Schneider.
Owen must give the deposition at a date and time convenient to both sides, Schneider added.
Vandergrift claims his autistic nephew sustained anti-LGBT bullying while a student at the Pennsauken School District. But when Vandergrift advocated for a proper education for his nephew, school officials allegedly accused Vandergrift of child molestation.
Vandergrift denies the child-molestation allegations. He’s suing for an unspecified amount in damages, along with policy changes within the school district.
The case is in the discovery phase of litigation, and a jury trial is expected sometime next year.
— Timothy Cwiek