Nathan Harper
Nathan Earnest Harper | |
|---|---|
| Police career | |
| Department | Pittsburgh Police |
| Service years | 1977-2013 (Pittsburgh Police) |
| Rank |  - ChiefOctober 31, 2006-February 20, 2013 |
| Awards | Meritorious Service, Spirit of Life |
Nathan Earnest Harper is the former Chief of the Pittsburgh Police, a position he held from October 31, 2006, to February 20, 2013. Prior to this appointment he was the long-time "Assistant Chief in Charge" of the Investigations Branch. He is Pittsburgh's third African-American Chief of Police.
Education and early career
Harper graduated from Schenley High School and was a resident of Stanton Heights, he joined the police bureau in 1977. He served as a patrol officer, K-9 officer and plainclothes investigator before being promoted to administrative positions, the narcotics unit and investigations. In the 1990s Harper spearheaded the formation of the city's Street Response Unit and was previously a Sergeant in the city's Traffic Division.
Later career and resignation
![[icon]](/enwiki/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (February 2013) |
In November 2012 a city systems analyst and Alpha Outfitters are investigated for rigging a $337,000 police contract by bribing a public official, conspiracy and fraud, the city analyst later pleads guilty. Chief Harper at the time is determined by the mayor's office to not be connected to the crimes.[1]
On February 12, 2013 and subsequent days, the FBI and IRS seized boxes of documents from police headquarters and the independent police credit union concerning thousands of deposits and withdrawals of tax payer money from unauthorized accounts, including internal misappropriations.[2] At least one account dates back to 2004, prior to Chief Harper's tenure.[3][4] Chief Harper was interviewed twice by federal agents concerning both the credit union accounts and contract awards case.[5] Chief Harper was asked to resign due in part to the FBI and IRS investigations--and did so--on February 20, 2013.[6]
Federal charges
On October 18, 2013 Harper pleaded guilty to five counts stemming from his leadership of the Police bureau at the Federal Courthouse in downtown Pittsburgh, one of conspiracy and four concerning tax reporting issues.[7][8]
See also
References
- ^ "Timeline of events that led to Nate Harper's resignation". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. February 21, 2013. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
- ^ Silver, Jonathan D.; Navratil, Liz (February 13, 2013). "FBI seizure of Pittsburgh police files linked to probe into use of funds". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
- ^ Navratil, Liz; Silver, Jonathan (February 19, 2013). "Ravenstahl: Controversial police accounts had hundreds of transactions". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
- ^ Silver, Jonathan D.; Navratil, Liz (February 15, 2013). "FBI, IRS investigate account connected to Pittsburgh police chief's office". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
- ^ Navratil, Liz (February 21, 2013). "Union official: Rank-and-file 'surprised' at Pittsburgh police Chief Harper's departure". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
- ^ Moriah Balingit, Rich Lord, Jon Silver, Liz Navratil and Lexi Belculfine (February 20, 2013). "Harper asked to resign as Pittsburgh police chief". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ http://www.wtae.com/news/local/allegheny/former-pittsburgh-police-chief-nate-harper-pleads-guilty/-/10927008/22497270/-/fgmtap/-/index.html
- ^ http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/pittsburghs-ex-chief-pleads-guilty-in-federal-court-708156/
Further reading
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (February 2013) |
- http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06299/733099-53.stm
- http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06292/731229-53.stm
- http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06291/730829-53.stm
- http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06298/732807-100.stm
- http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/nate-harper-out-as-pittsburgh-police-chief-676175/
