4 FOSTORIA RESIDENTS SUE OVER STRIP SEARCH

FOSTORIA, Ohio - Four Fostoria residents are suing the city, its police
department, the city of Tiffin, as well as at least six members of the two
police departments over a strip search conducted in their home a year ago.

Danial Clowers, Jason Massie, and Erica and Lora Brizzi, all of 260 E.
Sixth St., claim police conducted an illegal strip search while executing a
search warrant of their home on March 21, 2001.

A number of items were seized but "no persons were arrested or charged with
any crimes," according to the suit, filed yesterday in Seneca County Common
Pleas Court.

Fostoria Mayor John Davoli, however, disputed some of the lawsuit's
contentions.

"Strip searches are common practice in drug raids, the people who filed
these lawsuits have already pleaded guilty to the drug charges against
them, and an informal investigation by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation
and Identification has determined that the charges are unfounded," Mayor
John Davoli said.

The mayor added that he has gone on many drug raids with the task force and
Fostoria police, and that the officers have been courteous and professional

The suit seeks recovery of unspecified damages and attorney fees in excess
of $25,000.