A former Rhode Island stripper has filed a federal lawsuit against a police chief who is accused of stealing $714 from her purse after an August car chase.
Pawtucket resident Justina Cardoso is seeking $250,000 in damages from Col. John Whiting.
Whiting, of North Attleborough, Mass., has been suspended from his job as police chief in North Providence. He also faces criminal charges in state court.
The 21-year-old Cardoso claims in a lawsuit filed on Dec. 22 that Whiting violated her constitutional rights protecting her from illegal searches and granting her due process.
Prosecutors say the 57-year-old Whiting stole the money from Cardoso's purse after chasing a car she was riding in. Whiting denies the charges.
Messages were left Tuesday for Whiting, his lawyer and Cardoso's attorneys.
