Pittsburgh police lieutenant sues fellow officer over 'corrupt' yard sign

A Pittsburgh police lieutenant is suing a fellow officer for calling him corrupt on a yard sign in the North Side neighborhood they share.

The lawsuit filed Monday in Allegheny County court accuses Officer Robert Plata of defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Plata, who lives in the New Allegheny town house community, placed a sign in his yard that says “New Allegheny Politicians Are CORRUPT” with the names of Lt. Kevin Kraus and Brian Villeneuve on it sometime in June, the suit states.

Plata, an officer in the Zone 1 station on the North Side, could not be reached for comment.

Kraus referred comment to his attorney, William Goodrich.

“Freedom of speech entitles you to make a statement, but not to defame someone,” Goodrich said. “When you call someone corrupt, you imply they're a criminal.”

Kraus is the volunteer vice president of the board of directors of the New Allegheny Homeowners Association. Villeneuve, a salesman, is president of the board, Goodrich said.

“He's had clientele come to his home to meet with him, and they see that sign,” Goodrich said.

Goodrich said members of the association have approached city police with complaints about Plata but were told the city would not investigate.

Cmdr. RaShall Brackney, who heads Zone 1, was out of the office Wednesday and could not be reached for comment.

The homeowners association wrote in a complaint in December 2011 that Plata owed more than $1,000 for parking violations. The case went to arbitration, and arbiters ruled for Plata.

“He's had problems with the homeowners association and tried to take it out on two individuals by calling them corrupt,” Goodrich said. “Individuals who cast aspersions on one's character need to be careful. I do not take lightly filing a lawsuit.”

The suit says Kraus' reputation was damaged, and he has been “subject to ridicule and embarrassment as a result of the said false statements.”

The city hired Plata as a police officer in 2007. Kraus was hired in 1993 and is a lieutenant in the major crimes squad.

Margaret Harding is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 412-380-8519 or mharding@tribweb.com.