Coraopolis Police Chief Pleads Guilty To Misdemeanor Charges, Resigns

CORAOPOLIS (KDKA) -- He swore to uphold the law, but a former local police chief admits he broke it. And now in addition to his guilty plea, he's also resigned.

Although he originally pleaded not guilty to charges including felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor reckless endangerment charges, former Coraopolis Police Chief Alan DeRusso changed his plea to guilty on three misdemeanor charges. Prosecutors agreed to drop a felony count.

In August, DeRusso was accused of running a red light at University Drive and Thurn Run in Moon Township in an unmarked police vehicle. The crash hit a woman's vehicle, causing serious injuries. She had the green light.

Investigators say the chief was driving 80 miles per hour, and they found no evidence that he was responding to an emergency. In court, he apologized to the other driver.

"The victim in this case read a statement and explained to the court how this has impacted her life," defense attorney Steve Townsend said. "She described the nature and severity of the injuries that she sustained, and after she was done informing the court, Mr. DeRusso took the opportunity to apologize as best he could to the victim."

DeRusso will be sentenced in January in the criminal case and a civil case could be filed as well.

In the meantime, his lawyer says he took his own steps to end his employment with the department.

"He's submitted a letter of early retirement based upon the nature and severity of his injuries," Townsend said. "As well, he's unable to perform the duties of a police officer and based upon the information he's received from his physicians, he most likely never will be able to return to employment of any kind due to the injuries."

Although he already submitted his letter of resignation, he remains on paid administrative leave until Coraopolis council members deal with that next week.

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