The Pennsylvania Auditor General’s Office has directed Tullytown Borough to halt monthly disability payments to a police officer who was rehired and work to reimburse nearly $60,000 to pension fund.
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According to an auditor general’s office pension compliance audit from last week, the borough continued to pay a service-related disability pension to the officer despite a March 2025 vote by the borough council to rehire the individual as a part-time officer.
The audit identified the payments as a “direct violation” of the borough’s pension ordinance and collective bargaining agreement.
Under those rules, a “total and permanent disability” is defined as a condition that prevents an individual from engaging in any police employment.
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The unnamed officer sustained a serious line-of-duty injury in March 2018 and was granted a disability pension of approximately $4,948 per month in June 2019, the auditor general’s office found.
State auditors stated the payments remained in effect after the officer returned to active part-time duty.
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The report stated the action totaled tens of thousands of dollars in unauthorized spending.
The auditor general’s office noted that borough officials were made aware of the findings.
“Municipal officials agreed with the finding without exception,” the auditors wrote.
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Along with ceasing the payments, the state recommended that the borough reimburse the pension plan for all disability benefits paid out after the officer’s reemployment with the municipality of nearly 2,300 residents.
DelawareValleyNews.com first reported on the audit findings, and Tullytown Borough Mayor Joe Shellenberger told the publication: “We are aware of the auditor general report. The officer in question is not currently employed as a police officer, but rather as a records clerk, he has been most helpful. We are going to consult with an attorney to find out if this man can still be employed. If we do not hear from them by April 30,2026, the employee will be terminated. If it comes back that he can still work, that matter will then go before council to determine what to do next”.
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Police pension plans receive local tax dollars, employee contributions, and state aid. In Tullytown Borough, officers participating have to contribute five percent of their pay to the plan.
The borough’s police pension plan was established in 1985. It has three active members, three terminated members eligible for benefits in the future, and eight retirees receiving pension benefits. The plan has a value of $5.7 million.
