Ligonier supervisor's lawsuit claims he was targeted over calls for police department reform

A Ligonier Township supervisor contends he was targeted for retribution by local police over his efforts to reform the department.

Supervisor Erik Ross, in a lawsuit filed this month against the Ligonier Valley Police Department and three officers, claimed they misused the criminal justice system in an effort to discredit his actions and tarnish his reputation in the community.

Ross, according to the court filing, was cited last October during Fort Ligonier Days following a run-in with the officers as they drove along Main Street in an all-terrain vehicle. The officers contended there was a physical and verbal altercation that resulted in Ross being charged with a summary harassment offense. That charge was originally upheld last fall by Derry magisterial district Judge Kelly Hammers. The judge fined Ross $100.

In May, Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Senior Judge Richard E. McCormick Jr., ruled in Ross’ favor during an appeal hearing, overturned the conviction and dismissed the summary charge. Ross’ criminal record has since been expunged.

Ross, 49, claims the incident and subsequent criminal case resulted from his efforts to reform the police department, which he said is mired in ethical lapses and improper behavior. John Berger, the department’s former chief, was fired following a raid of the department prior to last fall’s Fort Ligonier Days and last summer was charged in what appears to be an unrelated case involving allegations of sexual assault.

“I support the police but the corruption has gotten so bad with the local police. This case was basically retribution. I want justice and I want the police department to be ethical,” Ross said on Monday.

According to his lawsuit, a police cart driven by officer Robert Hakel that also carried officers Daniel Dorazio and James Friscarella approached Ross and his girlfriend without warning and caused them to jump out of the way. Ross and officers argued and had physical contact following the incident, police said.

Ligonier Valley Police Chief Michael Matrunics declined to comment on the allegations in the lawsuit. Matrunics confirmed that Hakel, Dorazio and Friscarella remain on the job. None of the officers could be reached for comment.

Ross claims his criticism of the police department and calls for its reform prompted the altercation and criminal charge.

“Defendants engaged in an abuse of process by using the criminal charges to accomplish a purpose for which it is not designed; i.e. damaging the plaintiff’s reputation in an attempt to ruin his political career and to keep the plaintiff off the Ligonier Valley Commission, according to claims in the court filing.

The commission, which oversees the department that services both Ligonier township and borough, includes two elected representatives from each municipality and one resident. Ross is not a member of the commission.

Ross, a Republican, was appointed to the township’s board of supervisors in 2021. His term expires at the end of 2025.