Ross Appeals Demotion From Chief to Sergeant

Phil Ross, who Dormont council from chief to sergeant on Monday, is appealing the demotion to the borough civil service commission, his attorney said.

D. Scott Lautner said he hasn’t seen the charges and wasn’t permitted to attend a Loudermill hearing – essentially a due process hearing at which a public employee facing discipline can present his or her side.

The hearing, he said Thursday, was held without any member of council present, making it unauthorized.

Christopher Gabriel, the borough’s labor attorney, said council does not have to be present, nor does an attorney for Ross.

Nor, he said, did the borough first have to present Ross the charges, which Lautner indicated was the procedure.

“The charges are so he can appeal to the civil service commission, to give him an understanding of the charges so he can understand what was done,” Gabriel said.

Gabriel also said council is not permitted to discuss the reasons for the demotion because it's a personnel matter.

“There are two sides to this. The employee and the employer. The employer is not allowed to make comment. (Ross) is allowed to,” Gabriel said.

Lautner said they won't release the charges "at this time." Lautner said he hand-delivered the appeal on Thursday to the head of the civil service commission.

The next step is a hearing before the civil service commission, which Lautner said would be public. That's not been scheduled.