PITTSBURGH — A federal lawsuit accuses a dozen state troopers of violating an Armstrong County man’s civil rights because one of the troopers was romantically involved with the man’s estranged wife.

Richard Myers, 52, of Templeton, claims he’s been falsely arrested several times since 2008, including once when police claimed he violated a protection from abuse order by showing up at a 2009 hearing to contest the order. A judge found Myers not guilty.

Myers’ attorney, Joel Sansone, told The Associated Press that Myers was ordered to be at the hearing so the charge was clearly a ruse.

“They’re torturing my guy with every possible means,” Sansone said.

A state police spokeswoman declined to comment on the lawsuit, which was filed Wednesday against Trooper Brian Shaffer and 11 other troopers who work for Troop D.

Troop D is headquartered at the Butler barracks, but the troopers named in the lawsuit report to the barracks in Kittanning.