BIDDEFORD, Maine (AP) — A federal judge said a Maine man who contends he was sexually abused by a police officer when he was a teenage boy should’ve brought his claims sooner.
The judge this week dismissed Matt Lauzon’s lawsuit against the city of Biddeford and its police chief, saying Maine’s statute of limitations was six years. Lauzon contended he wasn’t aware until more than a decade later that the chief knew about similar allegations against the officer.
The now-retired officer, Stephen Dodd, acknowledged engaging in sexual activity after meeting in an online chatroom. But he denied relying on his “power and authority” as an officer.
The Associated Press generally doesn’t identify people who say they are victims of sexual abuse, but Lauzon’s attorney has said he wanted his name to be public.
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