7 day forecast
Suit against Allegheny County Jail nurse moved to federal court
Share with others:
A lawsuit filed by a former Allegheny County Jail inmate who said she was "sexually assaulted and harassed multiple times" by an infirmary nurse was transferred to federal court today.
Former jail nurse John Johnson Jr. gave the woman "controlled substances ... to prevent her from resisting and/or reporting the assaults," according to the complaint filed by attorney Susan E. Mahood. She nonetheless complained to jail officials, it said, but nothing was done.
Around a half dozen former inmates have said they were offered candy or narcotics if they submitted to touching by Mr. Johnson, 61, of Green Tree. He has pleaded guilty to three counts of institutional sexual assault and faces sentencing March 19. His nursing license has been revoked.
Mr. Johnson's activities have spurred several other lawsuits, some of which have settled for nominal amounts.
Attorneys for Allegheny Correctional Health Services, which runs the jail infirmary and employed Mr. Johnson, moved the case to federal court because it involves constitutional questions.
A county spokeswoman had no comment. The Post-Gazette does not name victims of sexual assaults.
First Published December 12, 2012 5:42 pm
