Police: Woman Filed 79 False Complaints Against Neighbors17 minutes ago
A Garfield Heights woman is in trouble with the law after being accused of making dozens of false complaints against several of her neighbors.
Over the years, Kathy Lesiak has filed complaints against her neighbors with dozens of agencies, NewsChannel5 reported.
"The EPA, the APL, the Ohio Department of Insurance, the FBI -- she even called the fire department, our fire department, and made some false claims," said Capt. Robert Sackett, of the Garfield Heights police.
Police say they have a long list of false complaints Lesiak filed over the years against her neighbors, numbering 79 complaints in all.
Lesiak pleaded not guilty Friday to charges that include menacing by stalking, filing false reports and harassment.
Neighbors say they worried who she might target next.
"They've called on numerous neighbors to the Children's Hotline, saying they're abusing their kids, their kids run free in the neighborhood," said neighbor Sarah Kozlowski. "It's sad, you know, you have to watch over your back, you shouldn't have to."
Lesiak's main targets were her next-door neighbors, Jason and Mary Ellen Ottinger.
The charges she made against them ranged from trespassing, to child abuse, to "engaging in unnatural acts with their animals."
Sackett said Lesiak's accusations kept on getting wilder and more bizarre over the years, and police decided to file the warrants against her.
Lesiak's attorney said the public doesn’t know the whole story.
"Basically, as the evidence unfolds, I think it's going to be completely different situation than what's been portrayed up to this point," said attorney Bruce Cichocki.
The Ottingers' attorney says the facts are clear but what isn't clear is why it took so long for the charges to be filed.
"There's an old adage in the law that justice delayed is justice denied. This has been denied to this entire neighborhood for over 10 years," said Stephen Miller.
Lesiak is free on bond, but has been ordered to stay away from her next-door neighbors.
She is due back in court next month.
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