Westmoreland Co. sheriff charged with using deputies to campaign on county time

GREENSBURG, Pa. — Westmoreland County Sheriff Jonathan Held turned himself in at a district justice office in Greensburg on Monday to face public corruption charges.

Investigators from the state attorney general’s office say Held had deputies conduct campaign work on county time to benefit his campaign fundraiser “I Outshot The Sheriff,” the result of an investigation that began two years ago when a deputy filed a complaint.

Held’s attorney denied the allegations.

“The sheriff maintains his innocence. He looks forward to fighting these charges. He’s dutifully and faithfully served the good people of Westmoreland County and he’ll continue to do so,” said Ryan Tutera.

According to the criminal complaint, deputies admitted going to gun stores to get donations for the sheriff’s campaign fundraiser and they allegedly did it while on duty and in county cars.

One deputy said after learning about the state investigation, Held discussed changing a deputy’s timesheet to indicate he or she was on vacation when soliciting donations.

TRENDING NOW:

• Common sweetener can be deadly to dogs
• Westmoreland Co. sheriff surrenders to AG's agents on criminal charges
• Bill Cosby's daughter Ensa dies at 44
• VIDEO: Dry weather welcome, but flooding still an issue

Held, elected seven years ago, is charged with theft of services and conflict of interest. Tutera says the case is politically motivated, and he says the witnesses have changed their stories.

“My client is innocent and those are false allegations,” he said. “And if you look at the complaint, these people changed their stories. They lied the first time to investigators, and they’re lying still.”

Some of those deputies claimed they changed their stories because they were afraid Held would come after them.

Held was arraigned Monday afternoon on two misdemeanors and one felony and released on his own recognizance. Tutera said Held has no plans to resign.

Cox Media Group