Fawn plans to continue hearing for suspended police officer in wake of federal lawsuit filing

Fawn officials announced that a hearing for a suspended township police officer will resume this month.

Earlier this week, the officer filed a federal lawsuit against the township, three of its supervisors and the police chief. An attorney representing Officer Keith Lazaron II said he does not agree with the hearing continuing because the township took too long to try to resolve the matter.

“My position is that they are out of time,” said Lazaron’s attorney, Craig Alexander.

Supervisors have scheduled a special meeting beginning at 9 a.m. Sept. 15 to hear testimony regarding Lazaron. The meeting will be held in person at the township building at 3054 Howes Run Road and virtually on Zoom.

At the township building, seating will be limited and face masks and social distancing will be enforced, according to a township notice.

Lazaron, 35, of Allegheny Township, has been suspended without pay since June 1.

Chris Gabriel, an attorney representing Fawn, previously said police Chief Tim Mayberry recommended firing Lazaron for insubordination and for giving information to news reporters. Gabriel did not respond to requests for comment Thursday.

Lazaron claims he was suspended because he disobeyed Supervisor David Montanari’s demand that he cite one of Montanari’s neighbors for an outdoor fire.

The township’s first attempt at a hearing, held in public at Lazaron’s request, was cut short July 27 over concerns that Supervisor David Norris, who was participating by telephone from Florida, could not hear.

Because of covid-19 restrictions, the hearing was held in the parking lot behind the township building, with participants socially distanced and wearing face masks.

Alexander wanted the hearing to continue with the four supervisors physically present. Supervisors, however, voted to postpone the hearing.

Lazaron this week filed a federal lawsuit against the township alleging his rights were violated and he was unlawfully and improperly suspended without pay. In addition to the township, it names as defendants Montanari, Norris, Supervisor Charles Venesky and Mayberry.

In the federal lawsuit, Alexander cites the Police Tenure Act, which required a hearing on the charges against Lazaron to be held within 10 days. In this case, the hearing was held later by mutual agreement.

Alexander said he did not agree to the hearing resuming and had not decided if he would participate in it.

Township solicitor Steve Yakopec Jr. did not respond to requests for comment Thursday.

Lazaron’s lawsuit seeks his reinstatement to his job with full back pay and benefits and other damages.