Beacon Journal staff report
CANTON: Former Lawrence Township Police Chief Paul Stanley is suing the township claiming he was wrongfully fired in September and his reputation has been damaged.
He is seeking to get his job back and at least $125,000 in compensatory damages, along with punitive damages that would be determined at a trial.
Stanley filed an 89-page lawsuit last week in Stark County Common Pleas Court.
He had worked for the township police department for nearly 30 years, including more than three as chief. But he was suspended by the trustees last year for the alleged misuse of police funds and then fired. He has denied misusing any funds.
The lawsuit says Stanley learned about his firing when he read it in the Canton Repository.
The Massillon Independent reported that trustees will discuss the issue in a special executive session Thursday morning.
“It’s an informative meeting for us to hear about what’s happening,” Trustee Lester Kamph told the newspaper. “Our attorneys are briefing us on what the next steps are. We are prepared to defend ourselves.”