ROSWELL, Ga.,None — An attorney who claims Roswell police wrongly arrested her is suing for $1 million. She was arrested at her home over a dispute with a house guest.
Last February, the house guest called Roswell police after Sandra Gray kicked him out of her home. She said the officers took a civil dispute and unlawfully made it a criminal one. She said the extremely humiliating ordeal should be a warning to others.
What happened to me and much worse can happen to anybody, Gray told Channel 2s Mike Petchenik.
According to the lawsuit, Officers Patrick Fedarko, Brandon Crawford and Jose Mariani came to her home after the house guest called to complain about his expulsion. Gray admitted to removing the house guest's belongings and placing them outside the house but said she didnt damage anything.
I was told if I didnt let this guy back into my house that I could be arrested for damaging his things. I saw that as bullying and frankly, ridiculous, she said.
Gray said based on the guest's word, officers arrested her for felony damage to property. Grays attorney, Cliff Hardwick, said a judge later dismissed the felony charge, but Gray spent 48 hours in jail while the man she'd kicked out continued to stay in her home. She said the city must pay for wrongdoing.
The city owes me compensation. They unlawfully interfered with my freedom, with my privacy, she said.
An internal affairs investigation cleared the officers of any wrongdoing. Two of the three officers are still on the force, but the department declined to comment on the case.
Hardwick said he hopes the lawsuit is a wake-up call to Roswell police and other departments.
I am hoping for an attitude change with the Police Department, that the department obtains better training as far as handling civil matters, Hardwick said.
WSBTV
