Man alleges police brutality at HUP

A volunteer at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania has accused two Penn security officers of physical assault and false imprisonment. Allan Lane of Germantown, Pa., filed a lawsuit on August 1 against the two officers, the Penn Police Department, Vice President for Public Safety Thomas Seamon and the University and the school's Trustees. Lane is asking for in excess of $100,000 in punitive damages. According to the lawsuit, Lane -- a hospital volunteer carrying the proper identification and parking permits -- was assisting Gianna Volpe, another HUP employee, carry items to her car last January. As he was doing so, the suit alleges, Penn security officer Michael Petetti approached them and began to make rude comments to both Lane and Volpe. As Lane, who is black, returned to his car, the suit claims, Petetti followed Lane and continued to harass him. Another security officer, Thomas Mulvhill, then joined in. According to the lawsuit, both officers proceeded to assault Lane as other security and police officers joined them in the attack. The lawsuit further alleges that the officers arrested Lane on false charges, placed him in a holding cell and verbally assaulted him throughout his stay in custody. According to the suit, the officers involved in the assault were all white. Lane's criminal trial was scheduled on three separate occasions, the suit claims, but all charges were dismissed after Petetti and Mulvhill failed to appear in court. "We feel strongly that Mr. Lane's civil rights were severely violated," said William Fox, Lane's attorney. "We're going to fight hard." The Penn Police Department would not comment on the litigation, and attorneys for the defendants were unable to be reached for comment as of last night. Lane's civil suit against Penn and the Board of Trustees includes counts of emotional distress and negligence. Seamon and the University Police as a whole are cited in the suit for unreasonable arrest, search and seizure, warrantless arrest, excessive bail and unreasonable force by police. Against the two officers, Lane alleges assault and battery, false imprisonment and arrest and abuse of process