Misuse of city computer leads to suspension

By Ed Runyan

runyan@vindy.com

WARREN

A Warren wastewater-department employee who used his work computer to view sexually oriented pictures has accepted a 60-day suspension without pay.

Bob Stahl signed a Last Chance Agreement with the city this week that says he will be suspended July 1 through Aug. 30 and must complete whatever program is recommended by the local counseling agency Community Solutions.

The agreement says Stahl will be fired if he is caught misusing a city computer again. Stahl’s boss at the wastewater department, Tom Angelo, also will monitor Stahl’s computer usage closely, the agreement says.

Stahl’s agreement, signed by city officials, Stahl and three union officials, says Stahl agrees not to file any grievance or legal action against the city over the matter.

The city filed administrative charges against Stahl on June 20, saying Stahl misused his computer between May 14, 2008, and Sept. 16, 2008, while working in the wastewater department.

“This misuse included, but was not limited to, accessing pornographic images,” a letter to Stahl said.

Allegations regarding the pornography surfaced in March, when Warren Police Patrolman Jeff Hoolihan gave an interview to a local television reporter, saying that the city administration had covered up the misdeeds of a city wastewater- department employee by doing nothing about them.

Hoolihan said an investigation he worked on in 2008 while he was a detective uncovered pornography in an employee’s desk drawer and indicated that the employee had used his work computer to look at pornography as well.

Hoolihan eventually was suspended without pay for 30 days for talking about the investigation with the news media without authorization.