Woman sues two Lee jail officers for alleged battery

Lee County resident Catherine A. Frommer filed the suit against Lee County Sheriff Rodney Shoap and correctional officers Anthony J. Croker and Dale Karras after she was brought into the jail. Lee County sheriff's records show that Frommer, currently listed as living in San Carlos Park, was arrested on July 6, 2002, at her residence on a charge of battery -- domestic violence.

Sheriff's reports said that Frommer hit her husband and choked their dog. The dog was pronounced dead at an animal hospital. The husband was not treated for injuries.

Frommer's attorney Lynne E. Dailey would not comment on the reason Frommer was brought to the jail that day but said she was not charged as a result of the July 6, 2002, incident.

Frommer is suing for an unspecified amount of money for battery, negligent hiring, negligent retention/supervision and civil rights violations.

The suit, released to the public Thursday, said Croker repeatedly punched and kicked Frommer before she was taken to a holding cell in the jail, and while in the cell, beat her head, torso, wrists and hands. Croker said in a Nov. 22, 2002, deposition that he was going to punch her in the face "because she bit me and I was upset."

"It simply did not need to happen," Dailey said Thursday. "Once he gets her up in a holding area he keeps going back. It did not have to happen."

In her suit, Frommer said Croker struck her and sprayed her with pepper spray twice in 3-1/2 hours.

George Mitar III, an attorney for the Sheriff's Office, said Thursday that he had not seen a copy of the lawsuit but planned to review it and take the appropriate course of action.

"Anyone with $100 can file a lawsuit for anything," Mitar said. "We'll defend it accordingly."

Frommer was charged with battery against a law enforcement officer after Croker said she bit him. She was acquitted by a jury in February after a two-day trial before former Circuit Court Judge William "Bill" Nelson, according to a March 4, 2003, letter from Dailey to Shoap.

Croker told Frommer multiple times that she would "never work as a court reporter again" and that he was "going to get her job," according to the suit. She worked as a court reporter for 22 years, primarily for medical malpractice case depositions and trials, according to the March 4, 2003, letter, but can no longer work as a court reporter because of wrist and hip injuries.

Croker underwent an internal sheriff's investigation between May 1993 and June 14, 2001, according to the lawsuit, because of allegations he used excessive force. He resigned June 14, 2001, and was rehired on Sept. 30, 2001, according to the suit. Karras was sued for failing to stop Croker from harming Frommer while in the jail, Dailey said.

Lee County Sheriff's Deputy Larry King, spokesman for the department, said Croker and Karras currently work as correctional officers at the jail. He was unable to provide comment or documents Thursday regarding internal affairs investigations into Croker and Karras.