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Williamstown Police Officer Sues Town, Alleging Racism, Sexual Assault

A screenshot of a document filed in U.S. district court on 8/12/20, plantiff Scott McGowan versus the Town of Williamstown

This week, Sergeant Scott McGowan filed a complaint in U.S. district court against the town of Williamstown, Massachusetts. In the lawsuit, he alleges that Williamstown Police Chief Kyle Johnson maintained a racist atmosphere, sexually assaulted members of the police department staff, and more. Johnson told WAMC he could not comment on advice of counsel, but added there are “two sides to every story.” Town manager Jason Hoch, who is also named in the lawsuit, said the town doesn’t comment on pending litigation. WAMC spoke with McGowan’s Boston-based attorney, David A. Russcol, about the complaint.

Josh Landes has been WAMC's Berkshire Bureau Chief since February 2018, following stints at WBGO Newark and WFMU East Orange. A passionate advocate for Western Massachusetts, Landes was raised in Pittsfield and attended Hampshire College in Amherst, receiving his bachelor's in Ethnomusicology and Radio Production. His free time is spent with his cat Harry, experimental electronic music, and exploring the woods.
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