Ex-Ottawa Hills police officer files bias suit

2/24/2010

A former Ottawa Hills police lieutenant has sued the village, the police chief, and the village administrator alleging disability discrimination and a hostile work environment.

Robert Kolasinski filed the lawsuit late Monday in Lucas County Common Pleas Court. The suit asks for compensatory and punitive damages each in excess of $25,000.

The suit says the village hired Mr. Kolasinski as a police officer in 1989 and he was promoted through the years to lieutenant.

In January, 2006, after taking several days of sick time, Mr. Kolasinski learned he has multiple sclerosis, the complaint said.

The lawsuit says that throughout the ensuing year, Mr. Kolasinski was docked a full pay raise, denied requests for accommodations he would need to continue work, and ordered to undergo evaluations not required of other officers.

It further says Mr. Kolasinski's insurance benefits were wrongfully terminated while his application for disability was pending and that the village sought out his new employers to tell them of his medical condition.