Man files suit against woman he claims falsely accused him of stalking and threatening her

GRETNA – A man who claims he was jailed after being wrongfully named in a police report is filing suit against his accuser.

James F. Cottingham Jr. filed suit against Kathryn Dekemel Ichikawa in the 24th Judicial District Court on June 30.

Cottingham claims that Ichikawa wrongfully named him in a criminal proceeding in the 22^nd Judicial District Court in Covington where she field for a protection of abuse. The plaintiff alleges that in the defendant’s report she told the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office that the plaintiff showed up at her home and was asked to leave the premises, called police to get him to leave, placed his hands on her, threatened her and others close to her, stalked her and called him an alcoholic. Cottingham contends that due to the report he was arrested and spent five days in jail and had to spend money on bail and to defend himself from the charges at court on several occasions.

The defendant is accused of making false criminal accusations.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for damage to reputation, embarrassment, humiliation, mental anguish, loss of wages and attorney’s fees.

Cottingham is represented by attorney Bradford H. Walker of Metairie.

The case has been assigned to Division J Judge Stephen C. Grefer.

Case no. 739-909.