Lawsuit: Councilman was harassed off board

Campaign of intimidation is alleged by Carson, By Jennifer Nelson-Loder Vernon — Vernon Council member Richard Carson filed a lawsuit last week alleging he was forced into resigning. Carson, who began his term at the beginning of 2008, names several parties in the suit and is seeking both punitive and compensatory damages. Named in the suit are the Township of Vernon, Mayor Austin Carew, Vernon Police Officer David Hering, the Vernon Township Police Department, the Vernon Township Republican Committee and Republican Committee member Andrea “Bunny” Cocula. Carson alleges that the parties named in the suit conspired over the course of last year to have him vacate his position. In an effort to force his resignation, the suit refers to an ongoing “coordinated campaign of threats, extortion, coercion, harassment and intimidation” displayed by the defendants. It further alleges the named parties held clandestine meetings, one allegedly in Cocula’s home, to plan their initiative to oust Carson from the council. The suit goes on to allege that he was repeatedly told that people were “out to get” him, that he was subjected to anonymous hang-up calls at his place of employment and advised to “not be seen around town.” As a result, the suit states, Carson began to fear for his own and his family’s well-being. The culmination of events came last November when Carson claims he was approached by Officer Hering, in his full police uniform, and forced to sign prepared letters of resignation. The letters were then delivered to Cocula, whom Carson claimed was waiting in a nearby vehicle. Due to his role in that exchange, Hering later received a disciplinary action and a five-day suspension for conduct unbecoming of a public employee. Hering is currently appealing that decision and the matter is pending. Carson claims to have signed the letters out of intimidation. Carson is represented by the law firm of Kelly and Ward in Newton. When reached for comment, attorney Kevin Kelly said the allegations made by Carson have only been corroborated further due to Hering’s reprimand and suspension by the Vernon Township Police Department. Township attorney Michael Witt could not be reached for comment.