Free Republic

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh former police chief Nathan Harper was sentenced to 18 months in a federal prison for conspiring to create an unauthorized slush fund from which he spent more than $30,000 on himself. U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon handed down the sentence Tuesday morning. She also ordered 61-year-old Harper on Tuesday to repay $31,986 from the fund that he spent on himself. Target 11 investigator Rick Earle was in the courtroom for the sentencing hearing. Earle reported that Harper made an emotional apology moments before the judge handed down his sentence. “I am a broken man,” Harper said. “I...

A federal grand jury Friday indicted ousted Pittsburgh police Chief Nate Harper for tax violations. Prosecutors charged Harper, 60, of Stanton Heights with four counts of “tax problems” and one count of conspiracy. He is scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert Mitchell. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Cessar appeared before the judge with the indictment and the grand jury foreman. The indictment comes two months after the Tribune-Review reported the grand jury's work and one month after Mayor Luke Ravenstahl forced Harper to resign his post. Harper led the department since 2006. The grand jury was investigating Harper's involvement...