Scranton PA: Woman Gets Arrested for Cursing at Her Toilet & Wins a $19,000 Settlement
It’s been a while since I wrote a Wild Card Wednesday blog. Unfortunately, today is Thursday, but this blog fits 
the category so well, I’m going to put it in there anyway.
I prefer to stay on the subject of real estate in Pike and Wayne County, but sometimes you have to deviate from the norm. Since many residents of northeast PA head to Scranton often (myself included) I thought this would be interesting to my readers.
Indeed, NEPA (as Northeast PA is known) is an interesting and fascinating place.
A while ago, Scranton PA made the news because a woman was arrested for cursing out her own toilet as it overflowed, spreading gross liquid across her bathroom floor and into her kitchen.
Her windows were open, and her neighbors heard her use some unsavory language - and called the police.
That in itself is silly. I do not generally say “bad words.” I don’t like movies riddled with foul language. My dad had a pretty rough mouth. But it never occurred to me to call the cops on a potty mouth.
The next part - the cops arrested her for disorderly conduct. (remember she was inside her own home.) Wow. This is what the citizens of Scranton pay taxes for?
The story doesn’t end there - the ACLU got involved and this lady successfully sued the city of Scranton and won a $19,000 settlement.
Scranton is a hurting city - it made the Forbes list of America’s Fastest Dying Cities. And now, because of something so STUPID, they have to shell out nearly $20,000. More taxpayer dollars, literally flushed down the toilet.
What's concerning me about this, however, is that some people commenting on a local message board are upset over this lady winning a "frivolous lawsuit." I for one am upset that she was arrested over this in the first place.
Read the story from WNEP.com here.
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Scranton PA Toilet Lawsuit, © 2008 by Karen E. Rice. All rights reserved. Originally published by the author on PikeWaynePABlog.com - "Curse Your Toilet in Scranton PA and Get $19,000"
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Believe it or not, this story appeared in the Morning Call down here in the Lehigh Valley as well. It wouldn't surprise me to see it in other national papers as well. It's just such a bizzare story. Seems Scranton just can't avoid 'goofyness'. I wonder what the writters on The Office will do with this tid bit of a story line?
Karen,
Crazy on so many levels.....and I feel bad that Scranton has to pay the piper...
Karen - Wow, stories like this always seem to amaze me. Can't believe this case wasn't thrown out. Give me a break. Definitely a waste.
That's as bad as McDonald's and the hot coffee law suit.
Well the difference in that is - the lady didn't get arrested for spilling her coffee.
I think it was beyond absurd for her to get arrested for cursing at her toilet - and I think the city deserved the lawsuit.
Maybe this lady can flush it down her own toilet and plug it up again - this is a crazy story
What would Michael and Dwight and Jim and Pam and the rest of The Office say about this.
I sent it to Dave Barry's blog, and it got a mention. Yes, I'm curious to see if this gets worked into THe Office somehow!
I saw this story on the news as well. My problem is, when I curse at my toilet, nobody can hear me! I could sure use the 19 grand though!
Karen,
I heard about this in our newspaper. I didn't hear about the lawsuit end until now. I was also was really upset that this happen. I'm glad that Scraton got in trouble. Our right of freedom of speech in our own homes are being effected. Thanks for the up date.
Karen,
I heard this story on the news. Many times I've heard people cursing while walking down the street, and they're not arrested. This woman said it in the privacy of her own home. What's next??
Brigita
Crazy. Wonder what comes next... what a waste of money.
No wonder is is a dying City. Obviously, the City Management, Judges and all involved have the same mentality that creates chaos and bad decision making.