TRENTON -- Pennsylvania authorities have ended their investigation into allegations that a New Jersey state trooper was sexually assaulted by her superior officer without filing criminal charges. Trooper Alexis Hayes accused Lt. Thomas King of assaulting and impregnating her while on assignment to Pittsburgh with other troopers in April 2009. Mike Manko, spokesman for the Allegheny County district attorney, would...
TRENTON -- Pennsylvania authorities have ended their investigation into allegations that a New Jersey state trooper was sexually assaulted by her superior officer without filing criminal charges.
Trooper Alexis Hayes accused Lt. Thomas King of assaulting and impregnating her while on assignment to Pittsburgh with other troopers in April 2009.
Mike Manko, spokesman for the Allegheny County district attorney, would not comment on why the investigation was closed earlier this month.
A lawyer for King said the decision shows the accusations are baseless. “There was no evidence to support criminal charges,” said attorney Brian Jacobs. “There’s no evidence to support any wrongdoing.”
The accusations against King were contained in a federal lawsuit filed in December. Hayes’ attorney, William Buckman, downplayed the end of the criminal investigation.
“They made their own decision,” he said. “It does not affect our civil suit.”
In the same lawsuit Hayes also said Sgt. Christine Shallcross harassed her at the State Police academy when she was a cadet.
A lawyer for Shallcross, who is defending her against the civil lawsuit and internal disciplinary charges, said the end of the criminal investigation will help his client.
“It means that Alexis Hayes is a liar,” attorney George Daggett said. “She gave a false report.”
In January, Shallcross filed an intent to sue the State Police. Daggett said Shallcross, who is a lesbian, is the victim of an anti-gay conspiracy within the organization.
“This is an organized retalization against my client,” he said.
King and Shallcross have been suspended without pay since December.