A trio of lawsuits filed against West Penn Township have proved costly for the municipality in more ways than one.

Resident Shawn Phillips asked supervisors Tuesday morning if the board had any update concerning former township police Chief James Bonner’s lawsuit.

Township solicitor Paul J. Datte said the township has not settled Bonner’s lawsuit; however, his worker’s compensation is settled.

Phillips then asked about the lawsuit filed by Bonner’s wife, Carla Fritz.

It was stated that Fritz’ lawsuit is settled.

“I think their lawsuits were frivolous,” Phillips said. “It was a joke, (both of the lawsuits).”

Board Chairman Tony Prudenti said that between the three lawsuits filed against the township (including one by a current employee who got injured), the township’s workmen’s compensation dropped them.

As a result, Prudenti noted the only one the township could get into was the state program for workers’ compensation.

“Our premium went up $42,000 a year,” Prudenti said. “So did it affect us, absolutely.”

Bonner was suspended in September 2024 and subsequently terminated in October 2024.

Bonner had been on paid administrative suspension since Sept. 4, 2024.

Bonner was hired as chief in October 2021, but had worked for the township since 2016.

Bonner’s wife, Carla Fritz, had filed a lawsuit alleging the township violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and other federal and state laws while she was employed as support staff for the police department.

The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. In it, Fritz alleged discriminatory and retaliatory actions made after she was diagnosed with anxiety led to her termination in October 2023.

In her lawsuit, Fritz sought several forms of relief, including back pay and benefits, compensation for emotional pain and suffering, and punitive damages.