Fired New Milford, Conn. Officer Files $10M Lawsuit

A New Milford police lieutenant who was fired two months before he was eligible to retire has filed a federal lawsuit seeking $10 million in punitive damages.

Former Lt. James Duda’s attorney says he was fired without due process in March after being wrongly accused of intentionally damaging computers. Duda’s lawsuit alleges emotional distress and harm to his reputation.

Duda’s attorney said he did not want to sue, but that Mayor Patricia Murphy has been unwilling to resolve the matter.

Murphy told the News-Times of Danbury that neither she nor Police Chief Shawn Boyne did anything wrong, and that the matter has been referred to attorneys for the town’s insurance carrier.

The town’s response to the lawsuit is due in U.S. District Court in New Haven by Oct. 31.