Woman says officer abused position

SKOWHEGAN — Celeste Brocklebank told a Somerset County civil jury Thursday that Madison police Officer David Trask took advantage of her shaky emotional state during a domestic violence call to her home to begin a relationship that became a love affair.

Brocklebank’s complaint to Trask’s superiors and resulting publicity spurred Trask to file a defamation lawsuit against his former lover, contending that she has damaged his reputation and his chances for job advancement.

Brocklebank has contended that Trask misused his police position to meet women while on duty, sometimes while investigating incidents in which the women were victims, and using those contacts to pursue sexual relationships.

The names that have been mentioned in court this week are many: Amy, Melody, Debbie, Celeste, Elaine, Gail. Either through their direct testimony or by the admission of their police statements into evidence, half a dozen Madison women lodged complaints about Trask’s behavior on the job from 1987 to 1991.

The complaints range from his allegedly asking sexually explicit questions and making requests for sex to accusations that he kissed women and allowed them to expose their breasts to him while on duty.

Over the last three days of the trial, Trask’s attorney, Thomas Nale, however, has painted a picture of Brocklebank as a woman scorned and rejected by Trask, whom she actively pursued. Nale contends that when Brocklebank’s husband found out about her affair with the police officer, some 20 months later, only then did she file an official complaint.

Nale also contends that Brocklebank’s complaint fell conveniently into the hands of Sgt. Lewis Gordon, who Trask testified was trying to get him fired. Trask is accusing Gordon and Brocklebank of conspiring against him. Both denied his accusations in direct testimony Thursday.

Brocklebank’s complaint spurred an internal investigation. Madison Police Chief Harley Dunlap testified Thursday that Trask had denied having a sexual relationship with either Brocklebank or another Madison woman, Elaine Lieberman. In testimony in court this week, Trask admitted to having sex with both women.

Trask’s court testimony may have gotten him in even deeper hot water with his chief as Dunlap indicated from the witness stand that if he confirms that Trask lied to him during an internal investigation, a new disciplinary hearing would take place.

After the first investigation, Trask was given a four-week unpaid suspension by Dunlap. Trask appealed that decision to the town manager, who reduced it to two weeks, and then filed a grievance with selectmen. The selectmen found the evidence inconclusive and reinstated Trask. He is still a lieutenant with the Madison Police Department.

Testimony Thursday was repetitive and slow, with frequent sidebar discussions. Both sides rested their cases and closing arguments will be presented today.