Leaked independent internal investigation report highlights tension with leadership within police department
Harveys Lake police vehicle No. 38 is parked next to other police vehicles at the department’s building.
Mark Moran | For Times Leader
The Harveys Lake police building, located at 4868 Memorial Hwy, Harveys Lake, PA 18618.
Mark Moran | For Times Leader
A “Welcome to Harveys Lake” sign.
Mark Moran | For Times Leader
Nearly a year after five Harveys Lake police officers submitted two “no confidence” letters about the borough’s police chief, Charles Musial, tensions remain strained within the police department.
Serving his first year as Harveys Lake mayor, Jay Simonson said last week he was forced to schedule two police officers on another shift to keep them separated from working directly with Musial.
Tensions within the ranks of the Harveys Lake Police Department have been brewing for years and reached a critical turning point in September 2025, when five police officers, including a 20-plus-year veteran, signed their names to “no confidence” letters they submitted to the borough council.
“Over the past several years, Chief Musial’s conduct has created a hostile work environment, leading to a loss of trust and respect among all department employees. These erratic behaviors, including intimidation, deceitfulness, vindictive behavior, and job security have contributed to both employee’s mental and physical health,” the first letter says.
In the second letter given to the borough council dated Sept. 11, 2025, the five officers expressed their combined opinion about a lack of leadership, communication failures, lack of accountability and direction, and a widening divide between the chief, the rank-and-file officers and residents of Harveys Lake.
“…we no longer believe Chief Musial is capable of effectively serving as the leader of this department. His resignation is necessary to restore stability and accountability,” the second letter says.
Following the submission of the two letters, an independent internal investigation at the request of Harveys Lake Borough Solicitor William J. Watt III was conducted by Attorney Lars H. Anderson with the Kingston-based law firm Hourigan, Kluger & Quinn.
Shortly after the no-confidence letters were submitted, Harveys Lake Council members Charles West and Robert Prescott said Musial went on “voluntary suspension with pay” beginning in September and ending in December 2025.
Anderson’s 16-page report of his independent investigation dated Dec. 8, 2025, recommended disciplinary action but not termination for Musial.
Attempts to reach Musial and Council President David A. Delaney were not successful last week.
The 16-page report, which was not publicly released, was obtained by the Times Leader and outlines a police department in disarray, including misrepresented facts in police reports, non-communication with officers, borrowing money from officers, and having officers pick up and deliver lottery tickets to Musial. In the report, Musial admitted to smashing a television with a hammer inside the police department.
The report heavily focuses on the lack of communication between Musial and officers, as Musial leaves notes for the officers.
“Based upon my investigation, and the Just Cause provision in Chief Musial’s employment contract, I believe the borough has sufficient grounds to discipline but not terminate Chief Musial,” Anderson wrote in his report.
Minutes of Harveys Lake’s council meeting held Dec. 16, 2025, say they met in executive session to discuss disciplinary matters pertaining to a borough employee who is not named, and voted in favor of issuing a written reprimand for conduct.
Just weeks after the report was issued, a majority of Harveys Lake council gave Musial a new two-year contract retroactive to Jan. 1, 2026, and running until Dec. 31, 2027. Musial’s salary is listed in the contract as $87,550 for both 2026 and 2027.
“I inherited this mess when I became mayor in January. It’s a full-time job just to make up the schedule to keep two officers away from the chief. They refuse to work with him,” Simonson said on Friday.
West explained the night before the no-confidence letters were submitted in September 2025, Musial was asked if he wanted to go on voluntary suspension, but officially called it “a leave of absence” due to articles in his employment contract.
When the report was given to the borough council, and Musial returned to work in December 2025, Simonson said two officers immediately took vacations that kept them out through the 2025 holiday season.
“They didn’t want to see or work with him when he came back to work,” Simonson said.
The lack of direct communication continues within the police department, Simonson said, as he has to schedule two officers on another shift to keep them away from Musial. In the form of police business, Simonson said Musial continues to leave notes for the officers instead of direct verbal communications.
“Like I said, I inherited this mess. This council decided to give him a write-up. We have to get a council and president to make change in the police department’s culture,” Simonson said.
When reached Friday afternoon about the report, Council member Clarence Hogan initially said he did not know anything about it and refused to comment.
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