Acquitted city police officer to return to job

A fired police sergeant will return to the Pittsburgh force as early as next week and will receive full back pay and benefits for the time he was off the job, an arbitrator ruled this morning.

Sgt. Eugene Hlavac will return to the shift he formerly held in the city's Hill District station, his attorney, Phillip DiLucente said.

He has been off the job since December, when he was charged with assaulting his ex-girlfriend, the mother of his 4-year-old son. A judge in April acquitted him of all charges.

"He's happy, but not joyful," Mr. DiLucente said. "He's finally now vindicated."

He said Sgt. Hlavac could return as early as next week. He will receive full back pay and benefits and will not lose seniority, the arbitrator ruled.

Through his attorney, Sgt. Hlavac declined to comment.





First published on September 27, 2010 at 12:54 pm