Sheriff to face trial on theft charges

Allegations stemmed from re-election bid

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Westmoreland County Sheriff Jonathan Held was ordered Thursday to stand trial on charges that he used county resources to boost his 2015 re-election campaign.

District Judge Chris Flanigan held for court a felony charge of conflict of interest and two misdemeanors — theft by unlawful taking and theft of services — after a preliminary hearing in Greensburg.

The state Attorney General’s office in February accused Sheriff Held of directing on-duty deputies to collect political contributions for his re-election campaign.

Two witnesses testified against Sheriff Held, and one, a former lieutenant who is now retired, testified that Sheriff Held also used county resources for campaign fundraising in 2016 and 2017.

Sheriff Held, 43, of Claridge, who remains on the job, turned himself in after the charges were filed Feb. 26 and was released on his own recognizance. He denies the allegations and has no plans to resign, said his attorney, Ryan Tutera.

“We’ve denied it since day one,” he said.

During the preliminary hearing, Sgt. Irvin Shipley testified that Sheriff Held asked him in 2015 to help with an upcoming campaign fundraiser, an annual event called, “I Out Shot the Sheriff.”

Sgt. Shipley had helped with