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Penn Hills man sues over 6-month jail stay
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A Penn Hills man who claimed he was wrongly incarcerated for nearly six months ending in March sued Allegheny County Thursday in U.S. District Court.
Shawn O'Hara, 30, claimed in a complaint written by attorney Richard Haft that he was hauled in because he missed a restitution payment owed for a 1999 conviction for receiving stolen property.
He should have been given a hearing for the probation violation within three days, according to the complaint, but instead was held for nearly six months, then released without court action.
The complaint alleged that the county "negligently or intentionally did not schedule a hearing," resulting in false imprisonment, loss of income, pain and anguish. He wants payment for damages and punitive damages.
A county spokeswoman said she can't comment on pending litigation.
First Published June 15, 2012 12:00 am
