Lehigh Township residents continue to question why the township police chief remains employed following a $1.75 million settlement in a federal lawsuit.

Resident Paul Nickerson asked supervisors at their meeting this week about the employment status of Chief Scott Fogel, citing rumors that he had been placed on administrative leave.

“We want to know if the rumors are true,” Nickerson said. “What is his status?”

Supervisors Chairman Mike Jones responded: “Chief Fogel is still employed by the township. That’s all I have to say.”

The lawsuit, filed by former township police officer Jessica Edwards, alleged that Fogel sexually harassed, physically accosted and retaliated against her during her five-year tenure.

The township paid $275,000 in back wages, while the remainder of the settlement was covered by the township’s insurance provider.

The township has also hired a labor attorney, though officials have been mum on the reason.

During the meeting last month, Vice Chairman Gerald Pritchard questioned a $13,000 expense listed in the April bills.

“What is check 2717 for $13,000?” he asked.

Township Manager Alice Rehrig replied then, “It was for the labor attorney.”

The check was made payable to Campbell Durrant PC, an attorney with offices in Bala Cynwyd and Pittsburgh.

Jones declined to give specifics about the labor attorney.

The firm’s website says the attorneys specialize in collective bargaining with unions, labor investigations and more.

The Times News has filed a right-to-know request for more information. Residents have repeatedly questioned why Fogel is still working for the township.

Ongoing concern

A petition has also been circulated asking for Fogel’s removal, but supervisors haven consistently said it is a personnel issue and they couldn’t comment.

In April, the Lehigh Township Police Association, the police union, released a statement.

“The members of the Lehigh Township Police Association are committed to providing exceptional police services to the citizens and visitors of Lehigh Township,” the statement said. “Despite any internal challenges we are currently facing, we want to assure the community that we will continue to deliver the highest standard of service.”

In October 2023, the police association said it conducted a survey, which showed a vote of no confidence for Fogel, and requested a meeting with supervisors to discuss the results.

“Our goal was to bring internal issues of the department to the attention of the board of supervisors and to collectively discuss solutions,” the association said. “We made several attempts to review the results with the board, but they refused to meet with us. Our most recent request was in January 2024, and although a meeting was scheduled, the board later canceled the meeting and has not rescheduled.”

The association said two additional officers have left the department, one citing declining morale.

“Following this, the township retained Safe City Solutions LLC to review the department policies and procedures,” the association said.

A new survey was conducted in the department in January. The Safe City survey included a question regarding confidence in the chief. “Although five new officers have been hired since October 2023, we believe the majority have still expressed no confidence in Chief Fogel. Each officer was subsequently interviewed based on the survey responses.”

The supervisors have not made the survey results public.

Labor ruling

In another matter, the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board ruled that Lehigh Township committed an unfair labor practice when it altered a veteran police officer’s work schedule in a move found to be motivated by retaliation.

In a decision issued Aug. 11, 2023, Hearing Examiner John Pozniak concluded that the township violated Section 6(1)(a) of the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Act by interfering with officer Jonathon Roth’s protected union activity.

At the time of the decision, Roth was an 18-year veteran and the township’s only canine officer. Roth also served as the president of the Lehigh Township Police Association.

On Nov. 14, 2022, the union filed a charge with the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board, claiming the township changed Roth’s platoon assignment in retaliation for his union activities and without proper bargaining, in violation of the collective bargaining agreement.

The board ordered the township to cease and desist from violations and required a copy of the decision to be posted in a visible location for 10 days, according to court records.

Department report

Fogel was not present at the meeting Tuesday. Instead, Sgt. John Henry gave the department’s monthly report.

“The township had 493 calls for the month of June,” he said. “One of our EMS calls, ambulance was still out 5 minutes, Sgt. Joe Dougherty had and was trained in how to use an EpiPen for a patient that needed it. I want to commend him for that.”

An EpiPen is an epinephrine autoinjector used to counter severe allergic reactions.

Henry also noted that the department will be having a National Night Out on Aug. 5 at Indian Trail Park.

“Officer John Roth is already working on details for the event,” Henry said.

Also, the department is still accepting applications for a full-time officer. The deadline to apply is 3:30 p.m. July 25. There is no fee for an application, which can be obtained in person at the department at 1043 Municipal Road or online at www.lehightownship.com.