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By TERRIE MORGAN-BESECKER tmorgan@leader.net
Tuesday, March 18, 2003 Page: 1B
SCRANTON – A Wyoming Valley West High School student has filed a federal
civil rights lawsuit against the school and two officials, alleging the high
school’s swim coach slandered the teenager by alleging he used drugs.
The suit, filed Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District
of Pennsylvania, says the 15-year-old student, identified only as Dominic M.,
suffered severe emotional distress after being publicly humiliated last year
by swim coach Frank Tribendis.
The suit was filed by the student’s parents, identified as Dominic J. and
Gloria, and names as defendants Tribendis, high school Principal Irvin DeRemer
and the high school. It seeks more than $80,000 for several counts, including
invasion of privacy, libel, slander and intentional infliction of emotional
distress.
Reached Monday evening, Tribendis said he could not comment on the suit.
District Superintendent Auggie Piazza did not immediately return a phone
message left with his secretary late Monday afternoon.
According to the suit:
The student signed up for the swim and water polo teams on June 10. A week
later, Tribendis approached the student at the Kingston Municipal Pool, where
the student worked, and told him he was “uncoachable” and that he was no
longer wanted at swim practice.
On Aug. 12, Tribendis was at an outdoor public pool and announced to swim
team members and the general public that the student “was off the team and
needed a rehab and to clean up.” He further advised the team the student
“was poison for them” and no one was to associate with him. The student was
evaluated at an area drug and alcohol treatment center on Aug. 22, but was not
admitted because he did not have a problem, the suit says.
On Sept. 10, the student’s locker was searched and team swimsuits removed.
The student spoke with Tribendis at the pool on Sept. 19, and Tribendis
accused him of “shooting his mouth off trying to get him fired.” The student
again tried to sign up for the swim team in October, but was again denied.
The suit, filed by attorney Peter Loftus of Waverly, claims the district
violated the student’s right to privacy by searching his locker in violation
of school policy. He also claims his right to due process was violated because
he was not given a hearing, and that his reputation was damaged by comments
Tribendis made in public.
Terrie Morgan-Besecker, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at
829-7179.