Former Pittsburgh Police Chief Harper Pleads Guilty

90.5 WESA | By Associated Press

Published October 18, 2013 at 2:55 PM EDT

Former city police Chief Nathan Harper has pleaded guilty to federal charges that he conspired to steal police funds deposited into unauthorized credit union accounts and willfully failed to file income tax returns.

The guilty plea was entered Friday in a hearing before U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon and is the latest incident in a remarkable fall from grace for Harper who joined the city's police force in 1977 and rose through the ranks before being appointed chief in 2006 by Mayor Luke Ravenstahl.

Harper, who is 60-years-old, will be sentenced Feb. 25.

More details to come.

Identity & Community

Associated Press

The Associated Press is one of the largest and most trusted sources of independent newsgathering, supplying a steady stream of news to its members, international subscribers and commercial customers. AP is neither privately owned nor government-funded; instead, it's a not-for-profit news cooperative owned by its American newspaper and broadcast members.

See stories by Associated Press

Politics & Government

Advocates hope Pittsburgh’s food justice fund will bear fruit this year

Kiley Koscinski

Food justice advocates have been calling on the city to put federal pandemic aid toward filling the gaps in the city's food system for years. This year, the city appears poised to do that.
Identity & Community

Talking about racism with kids can be challenging. These Pitt researchers want to help.

Jillian Forstadt

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have launched a new six-week training program to guide white parents through conversations with their children about race and racism.
Identity & Community

Pittsburgh's beloved indoor bike park closes after 11 years, community rallies to save legacy

Erin Yudt

The Wheel Mill, Pittsburgh’s indoor bike park in Homewood, was one of few such facilities in the United States. The 80,000-square-foot park closed its doors last month. Plans are in place to fill the space with pickleball courts while the biking community reimagines what might be possible elsewhere.