The man chosen by Pittsburgh Mayor-elect Corey O’Connor to be police chief was himself the subject of a recent criminal investigation.Action News Investigates: Watch the report in the video aboveJason Lando faced allegations that he sent harassing text messages to a retired officer in Frederick, Maryland, where he served as chief until recently.Last week, the Maryland state prosecutor closed the investigation, saying in a letter to Lando’s attorney that they found “no violations of criminal law.”Action News Investigates obtained a copy of the police report. It said Lando used a burner phone to send a series of text messages to Dan Sullivan, a former officer who had clashed with Lando. A forensic investigation determined the phone belonged to Lando.Among the messages from Lando:”Seriously what the (expletive) happened to you? Saying all that dumb (expletive).””Hey so what’s it like being such a (expletive) loser.””Crazy (expletive).”Lando said Sullivan had been stalking and harassing him after he accused Sullivan of using excessive force in two cases. Sullivan retired after the internal investigations were completed.In a statement, Lando said, “Rather than accepting responsibility for violating his oath as a police officer, Mr. Sullivan instead elected to launch a smear campaign, in an attempt to ruin my reputation.”Sullivan told Action News Investigates he believes Lando tried to cover up the investigation of Frederick police Cpl. James Dodson, who was charged with multiple counts of child pornography last year.Lando denied that accusation. He said Pennsylvania State Police were responsible for the slow pace of the Dodson investigation.In a statement, O’Connor said: “Chief Lando has a record as a longtime advocate for police, justice, and community relations, and he is widely respected by both officers and the community. I think that his reputation and his accomplishments with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police speaks for itself.” Pittsburgh City Council will need to vote on Lando’s appointment after O’Connor takes office.MORE FROM ACTION NEWS INVESTIGATES:
PITTSBURGH —
The man chosen by Pittsburgh Mayor-elect Corey O’Connor to be police chief was himself the subject of a recent criminal investigation.
Action News Investigates: Watch the report in the video above
Jason Lando faced allegations that he sent harassing text messages to a retired officer in Frederick, Maryland, where he served as chief until recently.
Last week, the Maryland state prosecutor closed the investigation, saying in a letter to Lando’s attorney that they found “no violations of criminal law.”
Action News Investigates obtained a copy of the police report. It said Lando used a burner phone to send a series of text messages to Dan Sullivan, a former officer who had clashed with Lando. A forensic investigation determined the phone belonged to Lando.
Among the messages from Lando:
“Seriously what the (expletive) happened to you? Saying all that dumb (expletive).”
“Hey so what’s it like being such a (expletive) loser.”
“Crazy (expletive).”
Lando said Sullivan had been stalking and harassing him after he accused Sullivan of using excessive force in two cases. Sullivan retired after the internal investigations were completed.
In a statement, Lando said, “Rather than accepting responsibility for violating his oath as a police officer, Mr. Sullivan instead elected to launch a smear campaign, in an attempt to ruin my reputation.”
Sullivan told Action News Investigates he believes Lando tried to cover up the investigation of Frederick police Cpl. James Dodson, who was charged with multiple counts of child pornography last year.
Lando denied that accusation. He said Pennsylvania State Police were responsible for the slow pace of the Dodson investigation.
In a statement, O’Connor said: “Chief Lando has a record as a longtime advocate for police, justice, and community relations, and he is widely respected by both officers and the community. I think that his reputation and his accomplishments with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police speaks for itself.”
Pittsburgh City Council will need to vote on Lando’s appointment after O’Connor takes office.
MORE FROM ACTION NEWS INVESTIGATES: