PD News

December 24, 2009

Lawsuit against Exeter Police is settled

By Terrie Morgan-Besecker tmorgan@timesleader.com
Law & Order Reporter
Terrie Morgan-Besecker on Facebook   |   @TLTerrieMorgan on Twitter

EXETER – A woman who alleged police violated her civil rights by illegally entering her home without a warrant has agreed to settle a federal lawsuit for $75,000.

The agreement, reached Wednesday with Linda Salerno, marks the fifth time the borough has settled a lawsuit involving Sgt. Leonard Galli.

Salerno, of West Pittston, filed suit in 2007, alleging Galli “barged” into her home on Exeter Avenue in the early morning of Nov. 18, 2006, in search of her son, Angelo, who was suspected of sexually assaulting a minor. The suit also named as defendants Police Chief John McNeil and five other officers identified only as “John Does.”

Attorneys for the borough argued Salerno gave Galli permission to enter. But Salerno maintained the consent was invalid because it was made under duress.

Attorney John Dean, who represented the borough, said the settlement calls for Salerno to receive $20,000 and her attorney Barry Dyller to receive $55,000. The money is being paid by the borough’s insurance carrier.

See Friday's edition of The Times Leader for the full story.

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