Rape victim files federal suit against Shreveport & convicted former official
By: Nancy Cook
Updated: October 3, 2012
A lawsuit against the City of Shreveport and a former top city official was filed in U.S. District Court in Shreveport Tuesday.
In addition to the city, the lawsuit names Rick Seaton, former assistant chief of administration of the City of Shreveport, who is being sued personally, as well as in his then capacity as assistant CAO.
The suit was filed by Kaitlyn Winstel, the victim in the forceable rape for which Seaton was convicted on Jan. 20. 2010 Independence Bowl in December 2010.
Winstel's boyfriend was arrested following the Independence Bowl game, and Winstel appealed to Seaton to help her get him out of jail. Seaton took Winstel back to City Hall, where they had sexual relations on the Mayor's sofa.
Seaton took Winstel back to her hotel, where she immediately reported the incident. In a bench trial, Seaton admitted he had sex with the girl, but claimed it was consensual. The girl claimed otherwise.
Caddo District Judge Ramona Emanuel convicted Seaton on one count of forceable rape and one count of abuse of office and sentenced him to a total of 18 years at hard labor.
In the lawsuit, Winstel alleges that her Eighth Amendment right to be free from the infliction of cruel and unusual punishment and imprisonment were violated, and asks for an unspecified amount of compensation, along with all court costs and attorneys fees.
She also requests a jury trial. She is represented by Shreveport attorney Joel Pierce.
