LEWISTON – A former Lewiston police officer has filed a lawsuit in federal court against the city, alleging he was sexually harassed on the job.

John Parkin claims that supervisors and fellow officers constantly harassed and taunted him because they thought he was gay.

Parkin, who quit the Lewiston department two years ago, is seeking unspecified damages to compensate him for the time he has been out of work, to cover attorney fees and to penalize the department for the alleged misconduct.

Parkin now works as a deputy for the York County Sheriff’s Department. He said the lawsuit is about accountability – not money.

“It is about principle,” he said “It’s about not letting the bully win.”

Lewiston Police Chief William Welch said Wednesday that he hadn’t seen Parkin’s lawsuit, but he was confident the city would present facts that would hold up in court.

Parkin worked for the Lewiston Police Department for only seven months before resigning in 2000, claiming he could no longer tolerate being taunted for not being “macho” enough.

The Lewiston native said he was teased about everything from his tan and highlighted hair to not going out drinking with his fellow officers.

He says he was repeatedly called “fag,” “pretty boy” and other names, and that officers warned him he would never be one of the guys.

Parkin’s 16-page lawsuit includes numerous allegations involving more than 20 officers and supervisors.

Parkin says Welch knew about the harassment but didn’t do anything to stop it. An internal investigation by the department after Parkin resigned cleared the entire force of violating any laws.