Read's complaint names former State Police trooper Michael Proctor, the case's lead investigator, and former Canton Sgt. Sean Goode, who responded to the scene. It cites years of the two men's text messages, which the suit calls racist, misogynistic and homophobic, as evidence both departments tolerated a "culture of bigotry" that tainted the investigation.

The complaint also faults investigators for not searching the Fairview Road house where O'Keefe was found for blood or fingerprints, saying the "crime scene house" wasn't entered for a week. Read is seeking damages for wrongful prosecution, lost employment and reputational harm.

Both agencies have pushed back. State Police Superintendent Col. Geoffrey Noble called Proctor's messages "abhorrent" and said they supported his firing; Proctor's attorney says the suit is an attempt to deflect from Read's own conduct the night O'Keefe died. Canton says it has "utmost faith" in its department and has acted on an outside audit.