Former Pittsburgh Police chief Nate Harper expected to plead guilty to theft

PITTSBURGH — Attorneys for Nate Harper told a federal judge Thursday that the former Pittsburgh Police chief will likely plead guilty to theft charges later this year.

Attorney Bob Del Greco told Channel 11 that Harper, who is accused of misusing more than $30,000 in police department funds, has met with federal investigators twice since being indicted by a grand jury and is cooperating with their investigation.

Harper’s attorneys do not expect any additional charges to be filed against him, despite an investigation into his relationship with Art Bedway, who is accused of rigging a city police radio contract.

“Based upon what we've been told and the evidence that they showed us, we do not believe the charges are going to be forthcoming against Nate Harper in connection with the Bedway allegation,” Bob Leight, attorney for Harper, told Channel 11 reporter, Rick Earle.

Leight did not comment on Harper’s relationship with Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and any involvement the mayor may have had.

Ravenstahl has said he is not a target of any federal investigation.

Harper did not attend Thursday’s hearing.

WPXI