Former lieutenant commander of Allegheny County sheriff convicted of macing

Saturday, August 19, 2006 He was the highest ranking black officer in the history of the county. PITTSBURGH (AP) — The county sheriff's former lieutenant commander was sentenced Friday to one year's probation and fined $250 for pressuring lower ranked officers to make campaign contributions to the sheriff. Richard A. Stewart, 58, of Penn Hills, pleaded guilty in April to one misdemeanor count of macing — demanding political donations from workers for Allegheny County Sheriff Pete DeFazio. U.S. District Judge Joy Flowers Conti said Stewart's offenses were serious, but that he had taken responsibility for his actions and had otherwise "led a stellar life" of professional achievement and community service. "I believe you've also shown a respect for the law," she said. Speaking to the court, Stewart thanked his family and colleagues for their support and said he regretted embarrassing them. "Any shame I ever caused you, I am sorry," he said, choking back tears. "I might have been blind to some of the things going on around me." Defense attorney Joseph K. Williams III said Stewart was the highest-ranking black officer in the history of the county sheriff's department and is a decorated Vietnam War veteran. He said Stewart was the first person to be charged with macing in western Pennsylvania. Witnesses such as County Councilman William Robinson testified that Stewart is highly regarded in the community. The Rev. Carmen D'Amico, Stewart's pastor, said the former lieutenant commander is "a very good person, very much a caring person." Charges Last year, Stewart was accused of lying to a federal grand jury in saying that he did not pressure lower-ranking deputies to buy tickets to fundraising events for DeFazio and that he didn't know of retaliation against officers for not buying them. U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan said at the time that Stewart was allowed to enter the plea to a lesser charge because he had cooperated with investigators. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steve Stallings said Friday that Stewart had done what the government asked. Stewart faced a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine. Under the terms of his probation, Stewart is not allowed to possess a firearm or take controlled substances, among other restrictions. Stewart is the third member of DeFazio's command staff to be charged by a grand jury looking into fundraising activities in DeFazio's office. DeFazio has not been charged. In March, former chief deputy Dennis Skosnik, 54, pleaded guilty to federal bribery and money-laundering charges for accepting payoffs from a person who wanted to establish a for-profit jail. Former Capt. Frank Schiralli, convicted of lying to a grand jury, was sentenced in December to 26 months in prison. Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.