Harper To Lose $63,000 Pension For Guilty Plea

PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) -- Pittsburgh's police pension fund says a former chief who pleaded guilty in a corruption case will lose a $63,000 pension.

The vote took place Thursday, but ex-chief Nate Harper's attorney is protesting that he was told it wouldn't take place until January.

Harper pleaded guilty to corruption charges in October. He joined the city's police force in 1977 and rose through its ranks to become chief in 2006.
Harper retired in February and began collecting his pension shortly thereafter. He collected about $40,000 in benefits before the board froze his payments following his guilty plea.

He was charged with conspiracy and using public funds for personal use. He's accused of transferring $70,000 to an unauthorized slush fund at the Police Credit Union and spending about half of it on personal expenses, such as dinners out and at the state liquor store.

If Harper is ordered to pay restitution, he'll receive the remainder of what he paid into the retirement account but no further yearly payments.

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