Struthers police captains face charges in jail hanging

STRUTHERS

Two Struthers police captains face neglect-of-duty charges in the Sept. 10 hanging death of inmate Peter Bugno, 43.

Struthers Safety Director Ed Wildes sent notices Wednesday to Capt. Michael Leonard and Capt. Patrick Bundy informing them of pre-disciplinary conferences set for them Friday afternoon.

Mayor Terry Stocker sent out a news release Jan. 22 stating the city was conducting an internal investigation into police conduct before Bugno’s death. The city has hired human-resources agency Clemans Nelson & Associates from Akron to aid in the internal investigation.

Leonard, the screening officer at the time of Bugno’s arrest, faces three counts of neglect of duty, according to the notice sent by Wildes. Two of the counts allege he improperly completed a required intake questionnaire.

Bundy faces one count of neglect of duty after purportedly failing to complete the required checks involving “direct in-person surveillance” of inmates at least once every hour. Bundy was the jail officer and the acting police chief at the time of Bugno’s death.

The notices sent to Leonard and Bundy inform them that penalties could be as severe as termination and that, under their union contracts, they have a right to waive the pre-disciplinary conferences.

Read the complete story in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.