×

Judge issues continuance in case against ex-police chief

EBENSBURG – A Cambria County judge allowed a continuance Friday for Cresson Borough attorneys to prepare evidence against its former police chief.

Borough attorney Michael Parrish told Judge Patrick Kiniry the borough was under the impression Friday’s hearing, requested by the borough to enforce a settlement agreement reached with former Police Chief Jeffrey Kopsic, was for argument only.

But Kopsic’s attorney, Thomas M. Dickey, said he wanted to give his client the chance to explain why he did not sign a settlement agreement reached by both parties during a February hearing.

Kopsic had worked for the borough for 12 years before being suspended in December after suffering “an adverse employment action,” according to the petition filed by borough attorneys last month.

The cause of Kopsic’s suspension remains unclear, although officials have indicated that his actions were not criminal.

Two months later, both parties met and went on the record with terms of a settlement agreement, according to borough attorneys.

Council announced at a March meeting that in exchange for Kopsic’s resignation, the borough would pay him a sum of not more than $2,500 for accrued sick leave, vacation and personal time and would withdraw an appeal of unemployment compensation.

Borough attorneys thought the matter was settled, but after multiple attempts to contact Dickey and Kopsic, they determined that the chief was not going to sign the agreement so it could be enforced.

Attorneys filed a petition to enforce the agreement last month.

The next hearing is set for 9 a.m. July 14.

Mirror Staff Writer Kelly Cernetich is at 946-7520.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.39/week.

Subscribe Today