UPDATE: West Wyoming chief relieved of duty in wake of theft charges
Last Modified: April 22. 2013 1:36PM
ED LEWIS
UPDATE 1:07 p.m. West Wyoming Borough officials have announced that Police Chief Stanley Sipko has been placed on administrative leave and relieved of his duties as an officer, effective immediately, following the announcement of theft charges this morning. A press release sent by West Wyoming solicitor Linell M. Lukesh explains that borough officials had not received a copy of the criminal complaint as it took action to remove Sipko's power as an officer. "We are in the process of obtaining additional information and will provide an update as soon as we have any new information in this matter," the release states. UPDATED 11:58 a.m. WEST WYOMING - According to a press release issued by Pennsylvania State Police at Wyoming, current West Wyoming Borough Police Chief Stanley Sipko, 42, of Dupont, and former chief David Gashi, 68, of Harding, face charges for alleged "double pays" received on several occasions from 2005 to 2009. Spiko allegedly received 12 double pays totaling $12,991.48, and Gashi received nine inflated paychecks worth a total of $13,699.80. In addition, Gashi allegedly received $14,759.75 in excess pension benefits as a result of the duplicate paychecks. In all, the total loss to Wyoming borough between both officials was $41,451.03. Spiko faces one count of felony theft, and Gashi faces two counts of the same charge. Both were arraigned before District Judge Joseph Carmody in West Pittston and released on $10,000 unsecured bail. POSTED 11:20 a.m. Pennsylvania State Police have filed theft charges against the current and former West Wyoming chiefs of police. This is a developing story. Check back for details.