A long-retired Rome police officer is suing the city for almost $760,000, claiming a city plow knocked his vehicle off the road in a snow storm in February.

Edward D. Chentnik, 123 Northwood Circle, filed claims against the city and Frederick W. Smith, a city employee. On Feb. 19, he tried to pass the plow Smith was driving northbound on Turin Road when Smith made a left turn without signal or notice, striking his vehicle, pushing it into a snow bank and causing "serious injuries, property damage and other monetary losses," he claims.

Chentnik is seeking $759,800 in damages. Claims against a municipality are not allowed by state law to include specific monetary damages, however.

There were no traffic tickets issued, according to city Corporation Counsel Diane Martin-Grande, and Chentnik’s passenger did not report any injuries at the scene. The plow was undamaged.

The city denied the claim, which is now a lawsuit. "It is being handled by our insurance company," said Martin-Grande.

Chentnik was a Rome police officer from 1973 to 1982.

In another case involving a former city law enforcer, recently-retired police sergeant Michael P. Mock filed a claim alleging employment discrimination.

Mock was on the force from 1990 until his retirement on June 28 of this year. During that time, he served as an active duty member of the Air Force, and was on active duty for several foreign conflicts. The claim indicates that Mock feels he was denied the opportunity to earn promotions within the department because of his military assignments.

The city has conducted a hearing, said Martin-Grande, and is still investigating the claim.

Maxwell Ellis of the Bronx has filed a claim against the city and the police department alleging that on Jan. 13 at 310 Expense St., he was involved in a verbal dispute with his uncle, Michael Wright, when he went outside to "cool off." His cousin, Joseph Wright, followed him out of the house. Neighbors called police, who arrived shortly. Officers "mistakenly arrested (Joseph Wright)," the claim states, "in a forceful manner." When family members told police of the mistaken identity, police "grabbed Michael Wright, threw him to the ground, and arrested him." Ellis heard the commotion and returned to the scene, he said.

When he approached police to explain the confusion, Ellis was thrown to the pavement, breaking a tooth and causing lacerations on his face and elbow, he said. He was charged with obstruction of governmental administration and disorderly conduct. The claim states that officers threatened bystanders at the scene with tasers. City Court would not release details on Ellis’ charges and their status, and would not elaborate on why. Joseph Wright’s charge was dismissed as part of a deal to plead guilty to an unrelated disorderly conduct charge, which he did. Michael Wright’s misdemeanor charge of obstruction of governmental administration is set for trial on Aug. 4.

Ellis claims it is the second time Rome police have assaulted him. "The assault and battery and false arrest," the claim states, "was motivated by racial bias of the Rome Police Officers."

The city has scheduled a hearing, and the case is still under investigation, said Martin-Grande.

Another claim against the city involving the police department was filed recently by Cale Bovee, 215 Kossuth St. apartment 1. The claim states that on March 26, around 11:15 a.m., police Sgt. Dominic J. Corigliano and patrolman Kevin M. James entered her apartment "under false pretenses without a warrant," claiming they were entering for a domestic violence incident. They were followed by 10-15 officers, the claim states. She claims "trespassing and intentional infliction of emotional distress."

The city has scheduled a hearing, and the case is still under investigation, said Martin-Grande.

In May, the city settled a claim from Donald Pisaneschi, 6192 Hawkins Corners Road in Lee, owner of the property at 122 Mill St. for $350. He had claimed that on Feb. 25, he was contacted by an emergency service dispatcher saying that the fire department wanted to gain access to his building on Mill Street because someone had knocked down a pole and damaged building wiring. He claimed that a Public Works employee had hit the pole while using a load lifter to move snow.

The Board of Estimate and Contract voted 4-0 to settle the claim. Martin-Grande, a member of the board, abstained though she declined to state the reason for the abstention at that time.

Christine E. Monroe, 514 Floyd Ave. first floor, filed a claim stating that on March 5, she was crossing Erie Boulevard in the crosswalk toward James Street when she fell and broke her nose, hurt her left wrist and ruined her glasses. She was taken to Rome Memorial Hospital. She had to have surgery on her nose. The city denied the claim.

Leona M. Rollins, 306 Sam St., filed a claim stating that on March 11, she was walking through the parking lot at City Hall, 198 N. Washington St., from Permanent Impressions Beauty Salon to the Prescription Center when she stepped in a hole, twisting her ankle and falling. She claims to have cut the inside of her lip and bruised her left knee. She was taken to Rome Memorial Hospital. The city denied the claim.