T-L Photo/ROBERT A. DEFRANK Bethesda Village Administrator Dirk Davis, left, and Mayor Samantha Burkhead conduct regular business Thursday with council members and officials. A suit filed by former acting police chief Pete Busack, alleging illegal wiretapping and wrongful termination, was not directly addressed.

BETHESDA — Village Council learned Thursday that Solicitor Michael Shaheen expects a lawsuit filed by a former police department official to go to court.

Earlier this month, former acting police chief Pete Busack filed a civil suit against Mayor Samantha Burkhead, her husband Finance Director Rick Burkhead, Councilman Jay Van Horn and 10 other unnamed individuals associated with the village. Busack alleges they participated in a conspiracy of “illegal wiretapping and/or eavesdropping” in the municipal building, wrongful discharge and refusal to honor public records requests.

Busack had served as law enforcement for the village since 2018 and was fired in February after numerous clashes with Samantha Burkhead.

Busack is seeking punitive damages; compliance with two public records requests he made more than four months ago; and compensation for damages, including reinstatement as chief of police, back pay and reinstatement of benefits and seniority, as well as compensatory and punitive damages totalling at least $50,000.

The suit was not addressed directly during the Village Council meeting Thursday, but council went behind closed doors for about 20 minutes to discuss personnel and pending litigation.

Close to 20 residents attended the meeting, but there were only two public comments — both in support of the current police department and of Chief Chris Storm.

“I just want to say how much I support our new police. They’re building everything up. I was very happy to hear all the things they’re doing for the children and the community and really bringing everyone together. It was nice to know they stopped by and introduced themselves, and my grandchildren very much appreciated it,” Sherry Fitch said, adding commendations to the mayor and council as a whole.

Since taking office in April, Storm has brought several part-time and auxiliary officers into the police department and has been spearheading outreach efforts to residents and the youth.

Also, Dick Quinlin spoke on behalf of an elderly resident who appreciated the visible police presence.

Afterward, Shaheen gave a statement on the situation.

“It’s public record that a gentleman who was formerly employed in the police department filed a civil action,” Shaheen said. “It’s no surprise. He made it clear to everybody when he left that he planned to file.”

Shaheen said he does not expect the matter to be resolved anytime soon.

“Everybody will get lawyers and it’ll take its course,” he said.

Regarding the public records request, Shaheen said the village’s position is that the allegation is “not accurate.”

Shaheen said he has had no inquiry from the county prosecutor or the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation since he became village solicitor, and the village will cooperate with any investigation.

“It’s unfortunate it took this turn, because really it wasn’t even a full-time position. The fellow that’s here now has really dove in and is doing a great job, not only in the policing part, but trying to become a member of the community. So rather than dividing, he seems to be trying to bring everybody together,” Shaheen said. “As a whole, that piece has seemed to work well, so we’re just trying to get on our feet here and look beyond all that conflict.”