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Allegheny Co. Sheriff Defends Lt. Accused Of Being Steelers Fixer

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The Allegheny County Sheriff's Office held a press conference Friday to defend an employee who's come under fire recently.

Allegheny County Sheriff William Mullen spent more than 30 minutes defending his lieutenant Jack Kearney.

Kearney is the subject of an ESPN "Outside the Lines" investigation.

The story claims there is a conflict of interest because Kearney also works part-time as the head of security for the Steelers.

Mullen claims otherwise.

"In what Lt. Kearney submitted, there has been nothing in there to indicate ... there's never been an issue," said Mullen. "There's only been one complaint – and it was an informal complaint – about Kearney doing some things with the marshal."

Kearney has been with the sheriff's office for three decades. He's the head of the fugitive squad and is also involved with federal task forces. Mullen described Kearney's role with the Steelers as limited.

"The time that he works the most for the Pittsburgh Steelers is during camp," Mullen said. "He takes his vacation time during camp, so he's at camp. When he's at camp, he doesn't have a fire on him, he doesn't have, you know, handcuffs on him, he's up there to facilitate, to give lectures to the players about the evils of what could happen to them."

The ESPN story also claims Kearney expedited gun permits for Steelers and held up an arrest of former Steeler linebacker Richard Zeiglar, who was the subject of a prostitution ring investigation. It's something Kearney and the sheriff's department adamantly denies.

In actuality, Sheriff Mullen says Kearney helped orchestrate the surrender of Zeiglar.

"I've never had a complaint about Kearney," he said. "I mean, you know I've had one complaint, I've never, ever have suspected he's doing anything but his job and you can all attest to that. I mean, he makes arrests, that squad is very diligent in what they do. And for him to be labeled as a fixer or 'The Cleaner,' I've never heard that."

The Steelers said: "Jack Kearney has assisted the Steelers with security for players, coaches and other staff since 2001. His services are provided on a part-time basis, with the majority of his time coming during football season. We are not aware of any conflicts in regard to his time on Steelers matters, nor are we aware of any conflicts of interest."

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