By James Kleimann/
A Paterson police officer who has been
suspended for nearly seven years may receive a $70,000 payout for leave
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PATERSON — The Paterson police
officer who has been on paid administration leave for nearly seven years over
allegations he forced a female prisoner to perform oral sex on him at police
headquarters could receive $70,000 in paid leave time when his impending
retirement becomes official, according to a news report.
The case of Officer Manuel
Avila has cost the Silk City more than $1.6 million since he was first charged
with forcing a female prisoner to give him oral sex in 2007, which allegedly
occurred just days after a psychological evaluation concluded he should not
carry a gun and was not fit to be a member of the department, according to the
Paterson Press.
Avila was acquitted of criminal
charges related to the sexual assault case in 2011, but the city later settled
a civil lawsuit with the alleged victim's family for $710,000. The city has
filed paperwork to terminate Avila on charges of conduct unbecoming of an
officer and neglect of duty, but disciplinary hearings have dragged on for
years, according to the report.
With more than 25 years on the
force, Avila is eligible to retire with a full pension that includes lifetime
medical benefits. Avila is one of eight police officers and nine firefighters
whose impending retirements will cost the city $1.65 million in leave time
alone.