The part-time officer was 65 when he was fired in 2014.
A former Independence Township police officer claims he was inappropriately fired in 2014 due to his age and is suing township officials for alleged discrimination.
Joseph DeWitt served as a part-time special officer with Independence Township police until 2014. He was 65 when he was inappropriately fired due to his age, according to a lawsuit. (lehighvalleylive.com file photo)Joseph DeWitt, a township resident, was 65 when his employment was terminated in 2014 after 33 years of service in the department, according to the lawsuit filed this month in state Superior Court in Warren County.
The suit names the mayor and township committee as defendants.
DeWitt was serving as a special officer, working part time at least 20 hours a week and making about $20,000 a year, the lawsuit says. Though his exact duties are not specified in the lawsuit, the document says he was willing to work all shifts and had no physical problems that affected his job.
At some point, Mayor Bob Giordano -- identified in the suit by title but not name -- allegedly called DeWitt to arrange a meeting to discuss his age, after which DeWitt was fired. The lawsuit says the officer was not properly notified that his job status would be the subject of discussion or action.
DeWitt is in the public employee retirement system and there is no age cap, the lawsuit says. His pension is about $1,100 a month, according to a state database.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified compensation and punitive damages.
Giordano declined to comment Thursday, saying he has not seen the complaint. Township attorney Leslie Parikh and DeWitt's attorney, George Daggett, did not immediately return calls.
Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
