A former Somerville High School teacher claims police called her a 60;loser,61; intimidated her and illegally strip-searched her. Now the city is moving to settle her lawsuit out of court. Elizabeth Troiani, a former English teacher and cheerleading coach at the high school, could soon receive as much as $200,000 to settle a federal lawsuit she filed against the city in 2004, according to sources.
Troiani claims police ignored her request for a lawyer when they strip-searched her at a student57;s home in 2001 on the suspicion that the teacher stole prescription drugs. Police found no pills on her person, and Troiani was never arrested or charged with any theft, the suit claims.
Tom Champion, spokesman for Mayor Joe Curtatone, said the city cannot comment on the lawsuit because negotiations for a settlement are not complete. Aldermen approved a $200,000 appropriation to settle the lawsuit last month in a closed-door executive session.
