Crestwood school board president files civil defamation, malicious prosecution lawsuit against Wright Township police

WILKES-BARRE — Crestwood School Board President John Macri and his wife, Nadine, along with several juveniles, filed a 12-count civil lawsuit alleging defamation and malicious prosecution against the Wright Township Police Department and several police officers who investigated a reported underage drinking party at their residence last year.

The lawsuit, filed through their attorney Lawrence Kansky, alleged police officers overstepped their bounds by trespassing on the Macri property on Timberland Drive, attempting to enter the residence without probable cause and illegally detaining and searching 12 juveniles on July 7, 2023.

Wright Township police filed citations against 11 juveniles and an 18-year-old man for underage consumption of alcohol after investigating a complaint at the Macri residence, according to a police news release issued July 21, 2023.

The news release says an officer made contact with juveniles who were suspected to be under the influence of alcohol. Several more juveniles were at the residence, which was not occupied by the homeowner.

A family member contacted the homeowner and asked them to return home in order to ensure the safety of those present inside the house.

Once the homeowners arrived, officers identified the juveniles who were inside the residence and contacted their parents, according to the news release.

A district judge dismissed underage drinking citations against the juveniles and the 18-year-old man.

In the civil lawsuit, it alleges the Macri’s 17-year-old daughter was having a sleep over when police arrived.

Police in the news release say they investigated two complaints from a state police tip line about a party at the residence.

Kansky in the suit alleges a Wright Township police Officer David Winstock was assisted by police officers from Fairview and Rice Township.

The suit alleges officers trespassed on the property, attempted to enter the residence without probable cause a crime was committed, and illegally detained and searched juveniles inside the residence.

The suit alleges defamation due to the police news release that was issued, malicious prosecution, invasion of privacy, false imprisonment, abuse of process and illegal search and seizure.

The Macris are seeking in excess of $50,000 on each of the 12 counts.

The suit has been assigned to Judge Tina Polachek Gartley.