The attorney representing the wife of a former Ohio University Police Officer in her sexual harassment case against the university has filed to withdraw from the case.
Jeffrey Pettys, attorney for Cathy Sloane, requested to withdraw from the case because Sloane's allegations can no longer be supported with credible facts
according to a Jan. 14 motion. The two are not speaking after Sloane threatened Pettys with baseless allegations and questioned his professional judgment and conduct according to court documents.
Sloane would not comment and Pettys could not be reached.
Sloane, the wife of former OUPD officer Greg Sloane, filed a lawsuit against the university in Feb. 2006 alleging she was sexually harassed by OUPD Lt. Steve Noftz. Pettys had been Sloane's lawyer since the lawsuit was filed.
The university contracted Colleen Cook, a labor and employment legal specialist in Marietta, to perform an independent investigation after Sloane's initial complaint to the university. Cook's 2006 report concluded that there was insufficient evidence to substantiate the complaint because Sloane's recollections contained inconsistencies and left out important facts.
The Attorney General's office, which is representing Ohio University, has until Jan. 28 to respond to Pettys' motion, but it is unlikely any objection will be made, said Randall Knutti, assistant attorney general assigned to the case. - and if he grants the motion he'll have to see if there's enough time for (Sloane) to secure counsel
Knutti said.
Sloane's husband, Greg, was fired July 30 for making threats to OUPD Lt. Chris Johnson over the phone after his wife was allegedly assaulted outside their Albany home.
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