Federal law suit against Bovina city official for conspiracy and other charges.
/ ProNews 7
A number of residents of Bovina have filed a federal law suit in the United States District Court, Northern District of Texas on Friday, December 28, 2012 against Dalhart Police Chief and former Bovina Police Chief Gary Sinclair, former City Manager, Jana Pitcock and other officers of the city of Bovina for conspiracy, harressment, and the use of excessive force against it's own citizens.
The named defendents are being sued both as an individuals and in the capacity of their official position and as policy maker for law enforcement in Bovina.
The law suit alleges Sinclair and his officers illegally harassed residents and extorted money from them to increase revenue for the city.
According to court document, a scheme was devised by Sinclair, his officers and other officials to raise revenue by forcing citizens and property owners to make improvements to their property against their will.
The federal suit filed specifically stated the illegal scheme was contrived by Jana Pitcock, former City Manager, and then approved by members of the City Council.
The enforcement of the scheme was that Sinclair and the officers he supervised, use citations and threats of arrests. The document also states that Donna Mitchell, municipal judge, was complicit with the pattern of harassment and extortion.
One of the alleged extortion techniques cited in the law suit was to issue arrest warrants to occupants of a home who has not provided a three digit number painted on the curb of the home.
The resident of the home was arrested later and required to pay a fine of $324 or go to jail. The fine was paid to the directly to the police and not to a judge or other magistrate.
Other allegations involve police officers arresting individuals and the use of tasers to detain persons of interest.
The court documents allege there was pattern of conspiracy and racketeering to control citizens, the officers unlawfully used excessive force against plaintiff in the attempts to arrest and detain.
The law suit also says that the residents have been under undue emotional stress and harrassment. And that all these actions have been due to a negligent hiring policies and supervision.
The plaintiffs are asking for restitution of damages from the defendants for court costs, attorney fee's and other costs, on top of punitive damages.
For those interested in reading the entire complaint here it is.
