Former Leet police chief sues township, again

Former Leet police Chief Michael Molinaro has sued the township in Allegheny County Common PleasCourt and is seeking more than $404,000 for what he called a breach of contract.

The suit claims his employment was “terminated without just cause” three years, one month and two days before the contract expiration.

It also claims Molinaro is owed $404,490.64.

Molinaro, a Leet officer since 2013 and chief since March 2021, was fired on July 25, 2022, at a township commissioners’ workshop meeting.

The termination was ratified at an Aug. 6, 2022, township commissioners’ regular voting session following scrutiny about how commissioners handled the situation the previous month.

According to the court filing, Molinaro’s job as chief was via an agreement through March 8, 2026.

Court documents show that figure is based on hourly wages, cell phone allowance, vacation time, sick days, uniform allowance, benefits and money for a retirement plan.

The 11-page complaint filed in early February does not mention that the township’s civil service commission upheld the firing Nov. 1.

Molinaro at the time declined to comment after the vote and walked away when asked if he would appeal the decision. He did not file an appeal.

The three-member panel found Molinaro was rightfully fired for falsifying documents, insubordination and other actions.

The civil service decision came after seven days of hearings and five nights of deliberations.

A 28-page report posted on the township’s website summarized the township’s allegations against Molinaro, the civil service commissioners’ responses, and its explanation about the ruling.

Township officials accused the former chief of conduct unbecoming of an officer including incompetence, insubordination, attempting to steal money during a search warrant, disobedience of orders, submitting false information/documents and lying to the township board.

Township solicitor Stephen Chesney confirmed the filing and declined further comment on pending litigation.

“Yeah, we’ve been notified,” he said. “We have our insurance counsel on it.”

Leet’s insurance counsel is attorney Estelle McGrath, who defended Leet in a previous lawsuit filed by Molinaro.

Molinaro filed a federal lawsuit against the township in June 2022 alleging he was placed on administrative leave because of his support of their political opponents.

He also claimed in that lawsuit the township violated his civil rights, claiming retaliation against his politics and his speaking out against reinstating an officer.

That lawsuit was dismissed last year.

McGrath confirmed via email March 1 that her firm is representing the township and declined further comment on the new filing.

Township commission president Martin McDaniel declined to comment and referred questions to Chesney.

Molinaro did not respond to multiple emails seeking comment.

Messages to his attorney, David Manes, were also not immediately returned.