Editor's Note: This story appeared on Tuesday on classic Patch but failed to transfer to 2.0.
Trumbull resident Virginia Silano, of West Lake Road, Trumbull says she was falsely arrested on Feb. 8, 2011 based on a false report.
In her lawsuit, she also names Trumbull Police Officer Daniel Wheeler; Thomas Chetlen, of Old Dyke Road, Trumbull; George Cooney, of Hemlock Trail, Trumbull; and William Verespy, of Penny Lane, Shelton. None of them were available for comment.
According to Silano, whose lawsuit is wending its way through Bridgeport Superior Court, the incident began outside the Pinewood Lake Clubhouse when Chetlen yelled that Silano had a gun and was pointing it at him.
Verespy corroborated the statement and Wheeler arrested Silano, the resident alleges.
At the time she was charged with threatening, weapons possession and reckless endangerment but was later cleared at trial on May 15, 2012, after obtaining video of the incident. She also charged the defendants with withholding the video evidence.
Silano claims Chetlen spotted her in the parking lot and they had a dispute, before Chetlen said, "You're not supposed to be here. I'm getting you arrested."
Silano, a paralegal for 23 years, said being arrested and having previous arrests by Trumbull Police has hurt her reputation and humiliated her. She also seeks court costs.
Her husband has also had to sell his collectible cars and "other personal valuable items" to pay legal fees, and is behind on their bills, Silano said.
She asks for unspecified damages and that Wheeler be terminated from his job.
Silano has other pending lawsuits against the department and has several unrelated criminal charges. Her next appearance in Bridgeport Superior Court is scheduled for June 20.
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