Grand Jury Probing Chief Harper’s Role In Cruiser Computer Contract

January 17, 2013 5:05 PM

(Photo Credit: KDKA)

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The KDKA Investigators have confirmed that a federal grand jury is investigating Pittsburgh Police Chief Nate Harper’s role in the awarding of a contract to a security company that may or may not have been qualified to receive that contract.

The chief has not been charged in the investigation that sources say, focuses on Arthur Bedway, the owner of Carnegie-based Victory Security.

The company is accused of setting up a shell company and paying kickbacks to obtain a $300,000 contract to install radios and computers in Pittsburgh police cars.

Bedway is reported to be a friend of Chief Harper’s.

Bedway is under indictment for alleged conspiracy and bribery. He’s accused of allegedly paying a city employee $3,000 as part of the deal. That city employee has already pled guilty to the scheme.

At City Hall, no one is saying much about the investigation.

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl’s spokeswoman, Joanna Doven, told KDKA, “It’s all rumor. We have no information that (Chief Harper) is being investigated.”

Doven stated, “We have not been informed by any federal officials” about a possible investigation.

A spokesperson for Chief Harper says he is out of the office and is “making no statement regarding the allegations of any federal investigation.”

Chief Harper’s been with the police department for nearly 35 years. He was sworn in as chief in 2006.