Louisiana doctor sues Texas police chief who was allegedly having affair with his wife

SHERMAN, TEXAS – A West Louisiana doctor is suing a small town police chief, who was allegedly having an affair with his wife, and his fellow police officers for allegedly harassing him and wrongfully arresting him for domestic abuse.

Dr. Glen Hurlston filed suit against Jeffery Barnett; Lieutenant Robert Mitchnik; other unnamed police officers; the City of Princeton, Texas and the City of Kyle, Texas in the U.S. District Court  for the Eastern District of Texas on Dec. 27.

Hurlston claims that his wife, Suzanne Hurlston, had an affair with Barnett while he was the police chief of Princteon, Texas and that during that time she gave birth to his son. The plaintiff asserts that Barnett and officers employed by him engaged in harassment of him.

Hurlston alleges that the harassment came to a head on Jan. 1, 2012 when Mitchnik and other Princeton police officers arrested him for domestic abuse without sufficient proof that a crime had occurred. The plaintiff claims that the arresting officers all had a relationship with Suzanne Hurlston at the time and they arrested him based on their relationship with her and at the instructions of Barnett rather than performing a thorough, professional investigation.

Hurlston asserts that the charge was later reduced to a minor misdemeanor to which he pled no contest. The plaintiff alleges he received numerous arrest threats from the Princeton Police Department throughout the court proceedings warning him not to travel to the area, which infringed on his visitation rights. Hurlston claims he was completely innocent of any wrongdoing.

The defendant is accused of intimidation, violation of state law, civil rights violations, improper employment screening, improper employment practices and improper supervision.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for emotional distress, physical pain and suffering, loss of income and attorney’s fees.

Hurlston is represented by James B. Doyle of the Lake Charles-based Law Offices of James B. Doyle.

The case has been assigned to Judge Ron Clark and Magistrate Judge Amos L. Mazzant.

Case no. 4:13-cv-00757.