Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
The chief of the Falls Township Police Department claims he was placed on leave after receiving a federal grand jury subpoena.
Since being placed on leave by the township administration with pay on Tuesday, Chief Nelson Whitney was silent until Wednesday evening when his attorney, Scott Pollins, released a statement:
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Below is Pollins’ statement on Whitney:
“In late 2020, Chief Nelson Whitney was promoted to become the acting Chief of the Falls Township Police Department. He became Chief in January 2021. Throughout his tenure, Chief Whitney has sought to make cultural changes and implement efficient business practices in the Falls Township Police Department.
“Recently, Chief Whitney learned that a vote of no confidence was made by the Police Association of Falls Township (PAFT). Chief Whitney is disappointed in this vote, however he knows that the integrity and professionalism he has brought to the department since he became Chief has not been popular with everyone.
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“On the heels of the no confidence vote by PAFT, Chief Whitney informed Falls Township that he received a federal grand jury subpoena seeking his cooperation in a federal investigation. Chief Whitney has retained legal counsel to investigate whether the Chief’s cooperation in a federal investigation has any connection to the recent no confidence vote by PAFT or him being placed on administrative leave by Falls Township.
“Chief Whitney looks forward to returning to his job serving the Falls Township community as its Chief of Police.“
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The statement includes the stunning revelation Whitney received a federal grand jury subpoena before he was placed on leave after the township’s officers’ union voted they have no confidence in him and leveled several accusations.
In response to Whitney’s statement, a Falls Township spokesperson issued the following comment: “Falls Township does not comment on personnel matters and ongoing internal investigations.”
The subpoena would be the first confirmation a township official has been asked to appear before a grand jury in relation to an ongoing multi-agency investigation that has focused attention on the township, Pennsbury School District, and has ties to Montgomery County.
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LevittownNow.com reported exclusively Tuesday that sources said Whitney has privately told department staffers he has spoken with FBI special agents as part of the ongoing investigation.
The investigation has been taking place for years and was first publicly reported by this news organization in 2020. Several people who have spoken with federal, state, and county investigators said they were asked about matters related to local government and politics, unions, contractors, political donations, and the Pennsbury School District.
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Falls Township received a subpoena for records dating back at least six years in late summer 2020 as part of the investigation.
No charges or indictments have been filed in relation to the investigation as of Wednesday.
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Whitney was appointed chief of police for Falls Township in January 2021. However, he had been serving as acting chief for half of 2020 after former Falls Township police Chief William Wilcox announced his retirement.
This week, the officers’ union claimed there have been grievances and lack of an attempt to resolve them, an “absolutely toxic” work environment, a ticket quota, and “non-existent” morale in the department.
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Over the past few years, the police department has dealt with lawsuits and formal complaints from officers. In recent weeks, a female officer filed an employment compliant against the department, sources said.
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