"It all comes up during election time," Williams said in a telephone interview.
Williams, who recently made public audit reports that revealed several flaws in the borough's accounting system, from 1987 to 1991, said the accusations against him were related to those revelations. He is the only Republican on the six-member council.
"It isn't true," he said, referring to the charges. I don't know what he is referring to. It is all political."
Hasner denied that the suit was politically motivated and insisted that Catlett was never arrested for any offenses and that Williams' statements could harm his client's reputation.
"My client is a respected member of the community, a family member and a captain who's reputation is very important," Hasner said. Catlett, who was unavailable for comment, is recuperating from a back ailment.
Hasner said he would be able to prove Catlett's case in court because he had witnesses who were willing to testify. At this point, Hasner is filing for unspecified damages, but in the original tort claim notice, he was claiming $1 million in damage.
Catlett is planning to retire soon. He served as acting chief of the borough Police Department from December 1989 to April 1992, when he was demoted to captain and Donald Burton was assigned as Public Safety Director to run the department.
