Pocono News Section

Federal Jury Gives 67,000 to Local Activist

Federal Jury Gives 67,000 to Local Activist - Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at 12:45PM EST

Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 @ 12:45pm EST

WILKES-BARRE , LUZERNE COUNTY- A federal jury decided that Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton caused a city woman 67 thousand dollars in emotional distress. A jury ruled Tuesday in favor of activist Denise Carey. She sued the city and mayor Leighton claiming he violated her constitutional rights. The jury decided Leighton used legal action and publicly embarrassed her when she tried fighting the city's decision to close an east end fire station in 2004. The jury awarded Carey $50,000 in punitive damages, $15,000 for her emotional distress and $2,000 to compensate for business she lost in her private social work practice.