Supervisors charge slander

Two West Pike Run Township supervisors have filed suit against a township resident over remarks the woman is alleged to have made in a public meeting, and a few days later at the municipal building.

Charleroi-based attorney Herman Bigi filed the suit on behalf of supervisors Frank Shemansky and Stephen J. Hajdu in Washington County Court.

The suit alleges that during the supervisors' meeting on July 14, Stephanie Kotula, stated about Shemansky and Hajdu that "they were thieves and stealing money from the township."

The suit further alleges that at 12:30 p.m. July 11 at the municipal building, Kotula told Shemansky he was "unfit to serve as a township supervisor." The suit claims the defendant knew the alleged statements were false.

According to Bigi, the alleged remarks were made during the public forum of the supervisors' meeting.

Kotula unsuccessfully ran for West Pike Run supervisor in 2001, when Hajdu was elected. Kotula could not be reached for comment on the suit.

A jury trial is being sought.