SAVANNAH - Three women who accused a former Savannah police officer of sexual assault and kidnapping have filed a lawsuit against him, the city and several officials - including the mayor, aldermen and police chief. <br>
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The suit, filed in Chatham County State Court against former Cpl. Joseph Quenga and other city officials, alleges false imprisonment and negligent hiring among several violations of federal and state law. <br>
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Quenga, 47, was convicted in March of rape, kidnapping, false imprisonment and sexual battery. The victims had been pulled over by the officer on separate occasions allegedly for driving under the influence. <br>
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''... Officer Quenga had a history of harassing women and had displayed a propensity for engaging in inappropriate behavior with women he encountered while on active duty as a police officer,'' the lawsuit reads. ``This behavior and misconduct of Officer Quenga was known to the officials of the City of Hinesville and the City of Savannah police; yet Officer Quenga was permitted to remain in his official capacity as a police officer.'' <br>
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Savannah Police Chief Dan Flynn could not comment specifically on the lawsuit. <br>
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``The city certainly acted as responsibly as we could and did everything as quickly as we could,'' he said. <br>
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Quenga was convicted of taking one woman against her will June 23, 2000 to a deserted area behind Memorial Health University Medical Center and raping her in his patrol car. <br>
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Another incident, on Oct. 22, 2000, involved an 18-year-old woman who was taken to a shopping center and fondled. The third victim, who was stopped on Dec. 12, 2000, said Quenga took her to a dark area at Savannah Golf Club and asked what she would do to get out of the criminal charges. After she started crying, Quenga took her back to her vehicle. <br>
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The suit also identified the city of Hinesville as a defendant.
