AMBBRIDGE, Pa. — Trial started on Tuesday for suspended Ambridge Police Chief Jim Mann, who is accused of falsifying time sheets and intimidating his officers.
As an officer for more than 30 years and five years as the Ambridge police chief, Mann said he never thought he’d be on the wrong side of the law.
In court, the commonwealth attorney told jurors that while Mann was off on disability in 2017 and 2018, he falsified his time sheets, double and triple dipped and billed Ambridge Borough more than $50,000. The prosecutor told the court it’s never easy to call out one of your own, but we have to.
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Mann’s attorney told jurors Mann is not a thief, saying every hour the chief took has been accounted for. He said Mann is an old-school cop and a tough boss who demanded the best from his officers. Some Ambridge officers went to state police, saying their chief was abusive, harassing and intimidating.
As this trial continues, a key piece of evidence will be introduced --dueling audits. One stating no wrongdoing and no financial loss to the borough, and the other stating the opposite.
The trial is expected to last all week.
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