Brothel stake-out cops arrest police chief
A Philadelphia police chief has been suspended after his detectives staking out a brothel allegedly caught him leaving the building while he was off-duty.
Runnymede Borough officials say Police Chief James Martin Leason has been suspended without pay and charged with promoting prostitution.
Leason has also been charged with misconduct in office. He could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted. He was released Monday on a $5,000 bond.
A council spokesman said: "The mayor and council are shocked and disappointed by Chief Leason's arrest. However, the safety of the residents will not be affected by this incident."
Runnymede resident Dawn Coulter, 27, said: "Even my grandma was talking about it. She thinks it's disgusting. I think it's disgusting, too. It's hard to believe. I mean, the guy is the police chief, and he gets arrested for prostitution. It's very shameful."
The alleged brothel at the Arbors Apartments in Maple Shade had been in operation since at least July 2003, Burlington County authorities said. Prosecutor Robert Bernardi said officers had been investigating the brothel, not the chief.
Leason was arrested as he left the apartment after "engaging in various sex acts with one of the two female employees," authorities alleged.
Robert Del Sordo, a lawyer who has known the chief since his days as a patrolman, said Leason had a reputation in the community for "being fair and square," reports Philadelphia Inquirer.
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