Former Cecil Township Police Chief Subject of State Police Investigation

The actions of former Cecil Police Chief John Pushak are under investigation, township officials have confirmed.

Cecil Township Manager Don Gennuso said that the Pennsyvania State Police, in conjunction with the Washington County District Attorney’s Office, is investigating Pushak’s handing of a township bank account.

Gennuso confirmed that he had been interviewed by state police on the matter.

Washington County District Attorney Gene Vittone could not immediately be reached for comment Monday afternoon.

Supervisors voted in March to place Pushak on paid administrative leave while Cypher & Cypher conducted an audit of the account in question.

The audit examined a township account that had to do with the Department of Justice forfeiture program. In addition, special counsel appointed by the board to conducted a special investigation and reported that there had been unauthorized withdrawals and deposits in the account, which was started in December 2009.

In the end, the investigation found that all funds had been accounted for, according to the attorney.

Township officials noted that Pushak brought the account discrepancies to the attention of the township and fully cooperated with the investigation.

Former Lt. Shawn Bukovinsky was later promoted to chief.

Canon-McMillan Patch had requested a copy of the audit and other information regarding Pushak’s resignation. In its response, township officials gave a litany of reasons why the audit was not being released—including that it involved a criminal and non-criminal investigation.

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