Additional details are emerging in the sexual-harassment case filed by former Haddon Township, N.J., Police Officer Jason DeMent against his former supervisor, Chief Mark Cavallo.
DeMent, a 14-year veteran of the force, was terminated in October, allegedly due to his complaints about unwanted sexual advances by Cavallo. Township officials also cut off health-care coverage for DeMent and his family, despite DeMent’s offer to contribute financially to its continuation.
In August, DeMent filed suit against Cavallo and the township, alleging wrongful termination, sexual harassment, retaliation and other unlawful activities.
A Jan. 31 legal filing by DeMent contains additional details to buttress his claim of sexual harassment by Cavallo.
In one alleged incident, when DeMent offered to do “anything” reasonable to keep his job despite a vision impairment, Cavallo allegedly responded by saying: “You look good. Come over here and let me hold you like a baby.”
During another incident, Cavallo allegedly placed his arm around DeMent, expressed his “love” for him and tried to kiss his neck. DeMent allegedly pushed Cavallo off of him to avoid additional unwanted touching.
On other occasions, Cavallo allegedly made comments of a sexual nature to DeMent, while raising his eyebrows, widening his eyes, and looking “up and down” at DeMent.
In a prior allegation, Cavallo propositioned DeMent by stating: “Do you want to lock the [office] door and pull the blinds down, baby?”
Other allegations against Cavallo include texting inappropriate messages to DeMent of a sexual nature; pinching DeMent’s upper leg as he passed by; telling DeMent he’s “cute,” “hot” and “handsome”; offering to “run away” with DeMent; asking DeMent to “talk dirty” to him; offering to co-habitate with DeMent; and asking DeMent to turn around so he could see his rear end.
In the Jan. 31 filing, DeMent also claims that another township police officer, “J.C.,” had a non-job-related bicycle accident in August that required surgery. Since “J.C.” couldn’t go back on patrol, he was placed on “light duty,” a reasonable accommodation allegedly denied DeMent for his vision impairment.
At the time of his injury, “J.C.” didn’t provide township officials with a specific return-to-work date, according to DeMent’s filing.
DeMent claims he was treated differently than “J.C.,” because DeMent “blew the whistle” on Cavallo’s sexual harassment.
DeMent is seeking reinstatement to the police force, along with compensation for lost wages and benefits, emotional distress and other damages.
DeMent also alleges discrimination due to his vision impairment, known as Stargardt’s disease. But township officials asked U.S. District Judge Robert B. Kugler to dismiss that claim. The request remained pending as of presstime.
Neither side had a comment for this story.