Sex-Harassment Suit Cites PennDot
By John P. Martin, The Philadelphia Inquirer
A former PennDot employee has sued the transportation department, alleging she was sexually harassed by her boss and that the department did nothing to stop it or complaints from other employees. Lydia Taylor, who worked in the PennDot office in Bristol Township, filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court on Monday against PennDot and her boss, Timothy Lancese, who supervised the office.
The suit, filed by her lawyer, Louis R. Busico, seeks unspecified damages and a court order to prevent Lancese from having contact with Taylor. She alleged that Lancese sexually harassed her in the workplace, made inappropriate comments, and touched her without her consent. The harassment led to Taylor taking a medical leave of absence, and she was fired after filing her complaint.
Taylor alleges that her supervisors did nothing to address her complaints. The suit cites multiple instances where Taylor reported the harassment to higher authorities within PennDot, but no action was taken. Taylor's complaint also notes that she was retaliated against after filing her complaint.
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Charges Dropped in Robbery
Citing insufficient evidence, prosecutors on Friday withdrew felony robbery charges against an Ambler woman accused in an armed holdup at a Warminster gas station.
Aimee Giampa, 23, of Argyle Avenue, was set to stand trial in Bucks County court in Doylestown for allegedly taking part in the Jan. 11 robbery of the Sunoco A-Plus station at 610 York Road. Instead, she pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of disorderly conduct.
"It was our contention all along that Aimee did not commit this crime," said her defense attorney, Louis Busico. "We're grateful to the district attorney's office for reexamining the evidence."
Police say Giampa drove the getaway car for Carl Jackson, who allegedly stole $400 from an attendant after forcing him into the store's bathroom. Police said Jackson indicated to the clerk that he had a gun during the alleged robbery.
Jackson, whose age and address are unknown, has not been apprehended. County Judge John Rufe accepted Giampa's guilty plea and ordered her to receive no further penalty.
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Assault Charges Dismissed by Judge
A district judge dismissed charges against an Upper Southampton man who had been accused of an assault in Doylestown that left a 25-year-old woman with brain contusions, a chipped spine, and a broken nose, cheekbone, and eye socket.
Following a preliminary hearing Thursday, Warrington District Judge Philip Daly ruled there was not enough evidence to hold Vincent Butter, 26, for trial in Bucks County Court. Butter was charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, and reckless endangerment.
The judge dismissed the charges after hearing testimony from the victim, who was the only witness in the case.
"The kid, Vincent Butter, continued to move," said Louis R. Busico, Butter's attorney. "The prosecution could not prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt."
Butter had been free on bail since his arrest in July. He had maintained his innocence from the start, asserting that the altercation was a misunderstanding.
Busico argued that Butter had only defended himself after the victim and her friend had attacked him. Butter testified that he was only trying to protect himself during the incident. The judge agreed, noting that the prosecution had not met the burden of proof required to hold Butter for trial.
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These cases highlight the dedication and skill of Louis Busico in defending his clients. From securing the dismissal of charges to advocating for those who have faced injustice, Busico's commitment to justice is evident in each of these cases.
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