Beaver County officer claims Ohioville officials retaliated against him for reporting chief's crimes

A Beaver County police officer claims in a federal lawsuit filed Thursday that Ohioville officials suspended him and reduced his hours for reporting payroll fraud committed by his former police chief.

Nevin Beatty claims that Mayor John Szatkiewicz and acting police Chief Mark Smilek started the retaliation in August 2012 after learning he had told state police that former Chief Ronald Lutton, 58, was padding his payroll.

Lutton is facing charges of theft by deception and forgery for falsifying time sheets between January 2009 and August 2012, costing borough taxpayers more than $45,000.

The borough's solicitor couldn't be reached.