CONVICTED FORMER GREENSBURG POLICE OFFICER APPEALS PENSION DECISION

A former Greensburg Police officer convicted in a federal drug-trafficking scheme is appealing a decision that rescinded and forfeited a portion of her pension.  The Trib reports that the lawyer for Regina McAtee said the Greensburg Police Commission made an error when it demanded a return of over $75,000 in retirement benefits she already received.  Federal prosecutors said she and former chief Shawn Denning bought pills containing meth online from 2020 to 2023.  Attorney Larry Kerr argued that under state law, McAtee was entitled to keep her pension benefits and suggested her crimes occurred outside of her duties as a police officer and her relationship with Denning was separate from her official duties within the department.