Former police chief Mark Romutis is suing the Borough of Ellwood City.
Romutis filed a wrongful termination lawsuit on Monday, October 19 at the Lawrence County Courthouse.
According to court documents, the lawsuit is four-pronged: breech of contract, breech of policy violation, breech of implied covenant, and interference with prospective economic advantage. Romutis is seeking $35,000 for each of the claims for a total of $140,000.
The lawsuit rests on the grounds that the reason for the police chief’s abrupt removal violated the terms of his contract and has limited his employment prospects.
Romutis served as police chief from January 10, 2011 to May 5, 2014. The position of police chief was removed by a council vote of 5-2 at a public meeting, which subsequently resulted in Romutis losing his job.
Since then, Mayor Anthony J. Court has assumed active control over the police department’s operations. Ranking officer Lt. David Kingston performs administrative functions, as well as patrolling and investigating duties. When the position of police chief existed, that role was not permitted to patrol.
Borough officials have not yet commented on the lawsuit.
Previous articles chronicling Chief Romutis’ hiring and removal can be found below: