MONESSEN -- A longtime city employee has been suspended in the midst of a hush-hush, city-wide investigation.
Streets Superintendent Mark Santa Colombo was informed Friday that he has been suspended without pay indefinitely, according to Mayor Mary Jo Smith.
The mayor would not say why Santa Colombo was suspended, nor which agency is conducting the investigation.
"I can't say anything other than he is suspended without pay until the investigation is over," Smith said. "But I can say the investigation encompasses all of the departments within the city."
She called the situation "unfortunate."
"I really feel bad for Mark. This isn't easy," she said.
Santa Colombo could not be reached for comment Friday night.
The mayor said she met with city council Thursday night for a budget meeting. During an executive session, Santa Colombo's position was discussed and the board made the decision to suspend him.
Santa Colombo is a management, non-union employee.
Santa Colombo has a long history working for the city in various positions and under different administrations.
He worked as streets superintendent until 2002, when he was furloughed by former Mayor John T. DeLuca.
When Smith took office as a councilwoman in 2004, she had enough supporting votes to put Santa Colombo back to work as streets superintendent.
Under budget cuts, his position was axed in 2006.
At that time he was made a full-time code enforcement officer, a post he held until recently when he was switched back to streets superintendent.
