County Jail Warden Suspended Without Pay
Armstrong County Jail Warden David Hogue is shown in this 2010 KP File Photo attending a meeting of the Commissioners.
by Jonathan Weaver
Due to the ongoing criminal and internal investigations after the Robert Crissman escape July 30, Armstrong County Jail Warden David Hogue has been suspended without pay.
The decision was made unanimously Thursday morning after a 10-minute executive session by members of the Armstrong County Prison Board - which include the three County Commissioners, District Attorney Scott Andreassi, Sheriff Bill Rupert and Controller Myra Miller.
The announcement was officially made by Solicitor Jason Lewis of Kittanning after his recommendation during the executive session.
Hogue’s suspension will last “until the outcome of the investigation.”
County Prison Board President Richard Fink elaborated after the meeting.
“At this point, we thought it was better for the investigation that the Board side with the recommendation,” Fink said.
Hogue, warden since 2006, was in attendance before the executive session to discuss staffing and inmates.
To monitor the 155 total inmates (31 females and 124 males), there are currently 34 full-time corrections officers, five full-time lieutenants and 11 part-time corrections officers.
There are seven part-time corrections officer positions available. Solicitor Lewis said it was too early to determine if those openings impacted Crissman’s escape.
In Hogue’s vacancy, Deputy Warden Matt Roofner will serve as Acting Warden.
Roofner has worked at the jail for 24 years - a Deputy Warden since 2006.
Hogue and Roofner will be available to investigators from CSI Investigations of Monaca (Beaver County) – which Prison Board members unanimously hired during the monthly meeting to review the events, as well as policies, procedures and personnel.
County Human Resources Coordinator Dan Lucovich and Solicitor Lewis spoke to five investigative firms, but recommended CSI Investigations.
Lucovich said the recommendation includes one investigator was on counsel for the Department of Corrections, with the other the Department of Corrections Chief of Security.
“This firm seems to have the credentials and experience,” Lucovich said.
“Very few of them have the Department of Corrections experience we were looking for,” Solicitor Lewis added.
CSI Investigations will be paid $75 per hour. At a maximum of 100 hours for each investigator, that equates to a $15,000 bill.
Deputy Warden Matt Roofner will serve as Acting Warden of the Armstrong County Jail while Hogue is under suspension.
District Attorney Scott Andreassi – who earlier moved to permanently suspend the trustee program Crissman was a part of – was satisfied with the cost. Hogue and Work Release Coordinator Joseph Neal confirmed the jail trustee program was suspended on July 30
“Finances are important in any situation, but in this situation, quite honestly, it’s more important for us to get the answers,” Andreassi said.
Commissioner Chair David Battaglia contended, however, that any investigation longer than four weeks was “too long” and he was worried that it might lack credibility in the public eye.
“We want it thorough and complete, but it can’t go past four weeks. I won’t authorize payment for anything longer than four weeks,” Battaglia reiterated later in the meeting.
Solicitor Lews said President and CEO Louis Gentile is ready to begin as soon as today, and envisions completing the investigation in two weeks.
Gentile dealt with Armstrong County Jail officials in 2009 when a different firm investigated the escape and eventual suicide of inmate Kenny Nulph – who escaped from two guards while being examined in September 2008 at Armstrong County Memorial Hospital and shot himself with a .357 Magnum revolver after a manhunt ensued.
Kittanning Resident Julia Mock questioned why no barbed wire surrounded the jail, like seen at State correctional facilities. Sheriff Rupert said this is an option for the future.
Fink promised that the Prison Board and Board of Commissioners will take “serious consideration” into how they warn the public in the future.
“I think we should all get every suggestion out there possible and make this as comprehensive as possible. There’s no 99.9 percent right – this isn’t hand sanitizer. It has to be 100 percent right,” Battaglia added.
Sheriff Bill Rupert is fielding information on new warning systems to protect not only Rayburn Township residents, but the entire County.
Like CSI investigators, Assistant District Attorney Charlton will also receive appropriate information to continue the investigation underway through the District Attorney’s office.
An executive session was held August 5.
County Prison Board Members unanimously following the advice of Solicitor Jason Lewis at the Thursday morning meeting to suspend Hogue until the investigation is complete.
Local News | jweaver August 14, 2015
By watchdog15, August 14, 2015 @ 9:41 PM
It’s ironic that Battaglia won’t authorize payment for anything lasting longer than 4 weeks. From what I heard from those in the County he wouldn’t authorize to pay ANY bills for months after taking office. Deja vu? However, the bills were paid for those months because two other Commissioners authorized. Dave, it only takes two votes.
By jorn jensen, August 17, 2015 @ 8:51 AM
watchdog15 - perhaps the commissioners need to look at a few bills before authorizing payment?