A retired Cayuga County official who admitted to harassing a subordinate in criminal court now faces civil action filed by his victim.

The lawsuit alleges former Deputy Treasurer Charles N. Donato caused mental and monetary distress when he used toy handcuffs to confine Kimberly Tratt to an office chair in June 2006. The county also faces allegations of negligence in a summons served this week.

Donato, 57, of 2650 Quicksilver Drive, Auburn, pleaded guilty to second-degree harassment and was sentenced to 35 hours of community service and fined $55 in March. The lawsuit contends the assault, unlawful imprisonment and sexual harassment by Donato coupled with a lack of disciplinary action by the county entitles Tratt to monetary compensation and attorney fees to be determined by a judge.

Tratt left her job and developed post-traumatic stress syndrome as a result of the ordeal, according to court documents. The Scipio Center resident worked for the county for three years and was due for a promotion before the incident.

Donato declined comment on the civil action.

“There's nothing to say because it's already been said,” he said Tuesday.

During the criminal case, Donato's attorney Simon Moody, said his client was playing a prank when he invited Tratt into his office and handcuffed her to a chair. The lawsuit filed Tuesday also takes issue with that comment, arguing the defense diminished Tratt's credibility by saying she took a joke too seriously.

Over the course of 16 causes of action, the lawsuit also alleges the county condoned Donato's action by allowing him to work without any disciplinary action from the time of the incident in June 2006 until he retired in September 2006.

Attorneys for Donato and the county have 30 days to answer the summons.

Staff writer Shane Liebler can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or shane.liebler@lee.net