Detroit Police Officer In Sex Scandal Sues Ex-Chief, City
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - The Detroit Police officer who had a sexual relationship with former Detroit police Chief Ralph Godbee has filed a lawsuit against him and the city claiming sexual harassment.
The lawsuit filed against Godbee and the city of Detroit claims Angelica Robinson suffered humiliation, emotional distress, physical pain and loss of earning capacity. Robinson filed the suit, which seeks more than $50,000 in damages, Tuesday in Wayne County Circuit Court.
Robinson, who is currently on restricted duty, claims Godbee sought a sexual relationship with her when she requested a transfer in May 2011.
"(Robinson) was approached and solicited by defendant Godbee to provide sexual favors in return for a transfer out of the child abuse unit," the lawsuit says.
The pair entered a sexual relationship, and Godbee approved Robinson's transfer to Internal Affairs, the lawsuit states.
Robinson, 37, drew attention to the affair when she posted a photo on Twitter of herself with a police gun in her mouth last month.
Robinson's attorney said his client allegedly took the photo after becoming irate when the chief went to a police conference in California with another woman. Robinson's attorney told the Associated Press that Godbee, 44, had other officers locate Robinson and put her under surveillance after she posted the photo on Twitter.
The lawsuit claims Robinson became fearful of Godbee and believed "the police would come and seriously harm her and her family."
The suit claims Robinson suffered intentional infliction of emotional distress, faced sexual harassment, and was retaliated against for being a whistleblower. A status conference is scheduled for Jan. 29 in the case.
Godbee resigned Oct. 8 after he was suspended from his $140,400-a-year post during an internal investigation into the affair. He has apologized for setting a bad example through his sexual relationship with Robinson that forced his resignation.
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