LAWRENCE COUNTY, PA — According to sources, on Wednesday 33-year-old Scott Tomasello of New Castle, Pa. — the man who was duped by an Internet scam then arrested in connection with the bad checks he inadvertently passed — sued a New Castle Police Sargent in U.S. District Court.

According to his complaint, Tomasello, a college student, posted an ad seeking a roommate on Craigslist in February.

Someone named “Jessica” responded by email and said she’d send a check covering the security deposit and first month’s rent, and he should send back the balance.

Sources say Tomasello deposited the check in a bank and prepared to send back the balance when “Jessica” called saying she wanted to send another check.

She did so, and Tomasello then told the bank “that he was concerned that the check may be fraudulent” and left it with the bank for investigation, according to the complaint.

Two weeks later, New Castle Police arrested him and charged him with forgery, theft by deception, and receiving stolen property.

Because Tomasello couldn’t post bail, he was held for a week before bail was reduced. All charges were withdrawn at a preliminary hearing.

Tomasello’s lawsuit names Police Sgt. Kevin Seelbaugh as the lone defendant.

Source: Pittsburgh Post Gazette