State: McKeesport must open officer records
The
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records ruled Sept. 21 that the City of McKeesport is required to provide the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette with documents and information surrounding an investigation into allegations of officers stealing money from the police department.
The ruling followed a right-to-know request filed by the newspaper in early July.
In March, seven McKeesport police officers were suspended after Chief Joe Pero said they logged overtime hours they never worked.
After meeting with the Allegheny County District Attorney's office, the city agreed to have an outside auditor take a closer look at the department's overtime records to make sure all funds that were stolen were accounted for.
In an official request July 8, the Post-Gazette asked for correspondence between McKeesport and Edward Datemasch, who was hired to perform an audit of police department overtime records.
The Post-Gazette also requested a copy of results of the audit. The city replied that it needed more time to respond to the request. But when the city failed to respond within 30 days, as required by the state, the Post-Gazette filed an appeal with the Office of Open Records, again asking for the records.
The ruling states that the city is required to provide the records requested by the Post-Gazette or provide justification for withholding those records.
The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records ruled Sept. 21 that the City of McKeesport is required to provide the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette with documents and information surrounding an investigation into allegations of officers stealing money from the police department.
The ruling followed a right-to-know request filed by the newspaper in early July.
In March, seven McKeesport police officers were suspended after Chief Joe Pero said they logged overtime hours they never worked.
After meeting with the Allegheny County District Attorney's office, the city agreed to have an outside auditor take a closer look at the department's overtime records to make sure all funds that were stolen were accounted for.
In an official request July 8, the Post-Gazette asked for correspondence between McKeesport and Edward Datemasch, who was hired to perform an audit of police department overtime records.
The Post-Gazette also requested a copy of results of the audit. The city replied that it needed more time to respond to the request. But when the city failed to respond within 30 days, as required by the state, the Post-Gazette filed an appeal with the Office of Open Records, again asking for the records.
The ruling states that the city is required to provide the records requested by the Post-Gazette or provide justification for withholding those records.