Pa. Chief Fired After Federal Corruption Indictment

East Washington Council fired police Chief Donald Solomon while he sits in the Allegheny County Jail facing federal corruption charges.

Solomon, 55, had been the police chief for the last two years. Council formally charged him under the Police Tenure Act with conduct unbecoming a police officer and neglect in violation of his official duties, said borough solicitor Cary Jones.

Council voted 6-0 on Monday to fire Solomon.

Jones said the charges are based on a federal grand jury indictment charging Solomon with running protection for undercover FBI agents he thought were drug dealers conducting drug sales and buying Tasers for an undercover agent posing as a drug dealer.

Solomon, who was arrested on Oct. 28, will be paid through Monday, Jones said. Council named Officer Mark Griffith as the officer in charge until it decides how to replace Solomon.

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