Former Duquesne Light employee faces harassment charges over threatening emails

A Sharpsburg man has been charged with six counts of harassment in connection with threatening emails sent to Duquesne Light Company’s management team.

Stephen Neal, 58, of Sharpsburg, was arrested on Tuesday following a series of over 200 threatening emails sent to Duquesne Light, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 29 and Lincoln Financial Group, according to a criminal complaint.

Court documents revealed the Neal worked for Duquesne Light for 20 years before retiring in March 2025.

William Johnson, who serves as Duquesne Light’s security specialist and Mark Larson, counsel for the company’s Labor and Employment Division, described Neal as “not a model employee,” stating that he had been transferred several times throughout his career, according to court papers.

At the time of his retirement, Neal had been receiving money monthly through a non-work-related short-term disability plan provided to members of IBEW Local 29 through Lincoln Financial Group.

IBEW Local 29 was not available for comment.

In July, Neal’s benefits were suspended by Lincoln Financial because his doctor failed to provide documentation of a continued disability plan to the insurance company, according to court documents.

In a police report, Duquesne Light Company stated it was not responsible for Neal’s policy requirements or benefits; however emails from July accused the company of being responsible for the suspension of his plan.

“Some of the emails were sent minutes apart without any chance of a thoughtful response,” according to court documents.

Duquesne Light declined to comment on Friday.

The complaint also stated that Duquesne Light received some of the emails in the middle of the night.

“Its sad how management and union get crooked insurance company and say its health care? Its pure evil and how we kill our own people and high titles think they can do unjust without any consequences and think they are going to get away with it? I think the corrupt union and mismanagement of LBTQ discrimination won’t win,” said one of the emails, according to the complaint.

In June, Johnson had a phone conversation with Neal, during which Neal referenced former United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who was assassinated in December by a gunman who was disgruntled by the American health care system.

Johnson told police that Neal referenced the assassination four times during the “disturbing and threatening phone conversation.”

Neal could not be reached for comment and an attorney was not listed on court documents.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 20, at the Pittsburgh Municipal Court building.