WORCESTER ― A police officer has filed a lawsuit in Worcester Superior Court, accusing former Police Chief Steven M. Sargent of a longstanding campaign of harassment that city officials allowed to continue.
The 11-page lawsuit filed Thursday by Robert Belsito demands more than $1 million.
The lawsuit, which names both Sargent and the city, stems from allegations the Telegram & Gazette reported on beginning last August: That Sargent April 15, 2023, drove his cruiser toward Belsito’s cruiser not far from the station, culminating the pattern of harassment.
The city abruptly announced Sargent’s retirement Sept. 1 and City Manager Eric D. Batista indicated shortly afterward that reporting surrounding Sargent had hastened his retirement.
Spokesmen for Batista and the Police Department declined to comment Monday, citing the pending litigation; an email to a lawyer who has represented Sargent in the past regarding Belsito’s claims was not immediately returned.
The city commissioned a law firm to investigate the April 15 incident that Belsito’s lawyer, Timothy M. Burke, said Monday was apparently still open.