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Suit says ex-chief tried to set up Savokinas for arrest.

Savokinas

SCRANTON – Former Avoca police officer and incoming Luzerne County Sheriff Michael Savokinas has filed a federal lawsuit against Avoca Borough and former police chief Edward Lukowich. The lawsuit claims, as authorities allege, that Savokinas was the target of a setup that Lukowich orchestrated.
Savokinas, who takes office as sheriff next week, says he was forced to resign from the Avoca police force in January after council failed to take action against Lukowich, allowing the chief to engage in harassing conduct that included an attempt to fabricate criminal charges against Savokinas.
Lukowich and Sgt. Jerome Kudajeski were arrested by state police in June on charges of official oppression, conspiracy and making false statements to police. Police said the officers attempted to coerce another man into accusing Savokinas of selling drugs from his family’s restaurant in Pittston Township.
Lukowich, who has since resigned his post, is awaiting trial. Charges against Kudajeski were withdrawn in August in exchange for his cooperation in an ongoing investigation into the police department.
In his lawsuit filed Wednesday in federal court in Scranton, Savokinas says he “blew the whistle” on Lukowich, expecting council would take action against him. Instead, the officials allowed the conduct to continue, giving Lukowich “free reign” over the borough.
Savokinas claims Lukowich’s attempt to fabricate charges seriously damaged his reputation and caused him severe emotional distress. He is seeking damages on several counts, including violation of his right to free speech, abuse of official power, negligent supervision and defamation.
The suit names the borough as a defendant, but does not list council members individually.
Borough solicitor Charles McCormick said he had not seen the suit as of Wednesday afternoon and could not comment. Mayor Robert Mullen did not immediately return a phone message Wednesday.